GOP-Led Lawsuit Could Endanger Health Care for Millions

Highland Park-- New Jersey Citizen Action released the following statement today on the first day of oral arguments in the GOP-led lawsuit filed in Texas federal court that, if successful, would gravely endanger health care for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions. Under the Affordable Care Act, health insurers can’t charge higher rates or deny coverage altogether for pre-existing conditions such as cancer, mental illness, arthritis, diabetes, sleep apnea and even pregnancy. The lawsuit, filed by Attorneys General in 20 Republican-led states, would strip the ACA of these protections. The Trump administration has declined to defend the law. More than 130 million Americans and some 3.8 million New Jerseyans have pre-existing conditions.

“The Trump Administration is trying to do through the courts what Republicans like Tom MacArthur were unable to accomplish through legislation - gut health care protections for millions of Americans,” said Ann Vardeman, Program Director of New Jersey Citizen Action. “MacArthur and Trump allies like him remain determined to gut healthcare and other vital services for their constituents so that big corporations and the wealthy can have tax breaks”

The removal of these protections would have devastating consequences for many New Jerseyans. Riverton resident Emily Cooper's partner has a rare lung condition that sometimes requires specialized hospital care. He has health insurance through her employer, but even employer plans could be stripped of protections for people with pre-existing conditions if the lawsuit succeeds.

"Losing these protections could mean an early death for my life partner, John," said Cooper. "His condition makes him vulnerable to his lungs collapsing. This is not something you can just treat with pills. He's had multiple surgeries and will need to have more procedures later on in life just to keep him alive. Without protections for people like us we would have to pay tens of thousands of dollars for his care. We both work, but this is money we just don't have. This GOP-led lawsuit is a direct threat to our lives."