(May 6, 2020 – Tucson, A.Z.) – Today, Congresswoman Kirkpatrick released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s continued attempts at repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), especially during a global pandemic. The Trump Administration and 18 Republican state attorneys general are asking the courts to strike down the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) as unconstitutional. Today is the deadline for the Administration to make alterations to the briefings for the ACA Supreme Court case. Oral Arguments are expected to begin this fall.
On Monday, Attorney General Barr urged the Trump Administration to “back off the call to fully strike down ACA,” warning it could have major political implications.
“Arizonans are facing tough times amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With unemployment growing and uncertainty being the only constant as we tackle this virus, our leaders — both here in Arizona and nationwide — must be doing our part to help our families, especially those most vulnerable to the economic and health impact of COVID-19,” said Rep. Kirkpatrick. “The idea of taking away people’s health care during a global pandemic is both counterproductive and cruel. We must demand better from our leaders.”
If the Trump Administration is successful with their ACA lawsuit, 20 million people would become uninsured and millions more could be charged more or denied coverage altogether because they have a pre-existing condition or would lose other important protections. In Arizona, there are over 2.8 million people that have pre-existing conditions; they would be at risk for paying more or losing coverage altogether.