WASHINGTON, D.C., June 26, 2020 — The Trump Administration filed its brief in the health care lawsuit before the Supreme Court, asking the justices to strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act. The American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization focused on heart and brain health, released the following statement in opposition to the brief:
“While anticipated, this legal filing by the Administration is still extremely troubling and disappointing. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has expanded access to health insurance coverage, improved patient outcomes and provided invaluable patient protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions - just as Congress intended.
“To push forward on attempts to overturn the ACA during the worst public health crisis in the last century poses a huge threat to the public health of our nation. While data on race, under-resourced communities and the coronavirus is too limited to draw conclusions, disproportionately high rates of sickness — and death — are the reality in too many instances for people of color. To overturn the ACA, would only exacerbate health disparities. Now more than ever we need to be promoting health care for all, not eroding health care access and gains in insurance coverage made under the ACA.
“This pandemic has highlighted the importance of access to meaningful health insurance coverage for millions of Americans – especially stroke survivors and people with heart disease who are at high-risk of being severely affected by the coronavirus. We will continue to advocate for the quality care that patients need and the protections that they deserve.”
The American Heart Association joined 19 patient groups representing millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions in filing an amicus curiae (“friend-of-the-court”) brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case California v. Texas (previously Texas v. United States), citing the devastating impact patients would face should the court rule to invalidate the Affordable Care Act.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For media inquiries please contact:
Suniti Sarah Bal – 916-390-1860; suniti.bal@heart.org