736,000 Illinoisans Would Lose Their Health Insurance If Lawsuit Is Successful

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chair of the Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, slammed the Trump Administration's decision yesterday to file a brief with the Supreme Court asking the justices to strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

"I am appalled that President Trump is doubling down on his efforts to strip away health care from millions of Americans. From day one, his Administration has tried to tear away the Affordable Care Act's protections for people with preexisting conditions," said Congresswoman Schakowsky. "But that they continue to try to do it in the middle of a coronavirus pandemic that has only accelerated in recent days is unconscionable. The pandemic reminds us that ensuring universal health care for all is an urgent and critical priority."

A new report found that the number of Americans who would lose health coverage if the Republican lawsuit succeeds has grown to more than 23 million amid the historic health and economic emergency of the coronavirus. The report finds that 736,000 Illinoisans would lose their health insurance.

On the first day of this Congress, the new House Democratic Majority voted to intervene as a party in the lawsuit in order to defend people with preexisting conditions. In early May, the House of Representatives filed its brief with the Supreme Court in support of the ACA and oral arguments on the case are expected this fall.

If the Trump Administration succeeds in striking down the Affordable Care Act:

* GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions.

* GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers 17 million people.

* GONE: Nearly 12 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare 'donut hole' will be reopened.

* GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents' insurance.

* GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women 50 percent more than men.

* GONE: Financial assistance that helps nine million people purchase health care in the marketplace.

* GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. As Americans lose coverage, already struggling hospitals will be hit even harder as their costs increase.

* GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.

* GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.

On March 23, 2020, the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Congresswoman Schakowsky led 127 of her Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump calling on him to end the lawsuit that seeks to end the ACA and protect the health care of all Americans during this global health crisis.

On Wednesday, House Democrats introduced the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act, legislation that builds on the Affordable Care Act to lower health costs and prescription drug prices while reducing the ranks of the uninsured. The package includes two bills that Congresswoman Schakowsky introduced in March. For the first time, no person will have to pay more than 8.5 percent of their income on a silver plan in the marketplaces and many will see their premiums cut in half or more. A fact sheet on the bill is available here https://energycommerce.house.gov/sites/democrats.energycommerce.house.gov/files/documents/Affordable%20Care%20Enhancement%20Act%20-%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf.

Read this original document at: https://schakowsky.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-schakowsky-blasts-trump-administration-s-brief-asking-supreme