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Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Republican-Led Lawsuit to Strike Down the Affordable Care Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 10, 2020
Contact: Juan Ramiro Sarmiento
(785) 760-6567 | Juan.Sarmiento@younginvincibles.org

Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Republican-Led Lawsuit to Strike Down the Affordable Care Act

Washington, D.C. – Today, the US Supreme Court heard arguments in California v Texas, a lawsuit supported by the Trump Administration and spearheaded by Republican state Attorneys General from Texas and 17 other states, arguing that the entire Affordable Care Act should be struck down.

In response to today’s ruling, Erin Hemlin, Health Policy and Advocacy Director for Young Invincibles, issued the following statement:

“The stakes could not be higher for the millions of Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act for health coverage, it’s anti-discrimination consumer protections, and it’s guarantee of vital, comprehensive benefits. Young people — primarily low-income young adults, young people of color, and young LGBTQ adults who rely on the ACA for subsidized coverage and comprehensive benefits — will be disproportionately impacted if this case is successful. And this lawsuit could not come at a worse time, amid a worsening public health crisis that has already infected more than 10 million Americans with the coronavirus, this case would not only strip millions of their health coverage, it would destabilize our entire health care system.

If struck down, over 23 million Americans are at risk of losing health insurance. It would represent a catastrophic reality for the American people. As a result of such a decision, protections for more than 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 30 million young people, will be wiped out, leaving them once again vulnerable to denials of critical care at the whim of profit-driven insurance companies. Americans will no longer be guaranteed the essential health benefits required under the ACA, including mental health services, the top reason young people seek out care. And, young people under the age of 26 would no longer be guaranteed coverage under their parent’s plans.

Young people will be significantly impacted by this decision – having endured two recessions and now a global pandemic – as our generation faces immense economic insecurity. We urge the Supreme Court to preserve the Affordable Care Act in its entirety, protecting coverage and consumer protections for the millions of lives that depend on it.”

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