Community Catalyst: Senate Confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court Puts the Health and Health Care of Millions at Risk

BOSTON, Massachusetts, Oct. 27 -- Community Catalyst issued the following news release on Oct. 26:

Today, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Barrett taking a seat on the high court puts at grave risk high-quality, affordable health coverage for millions of people across the nation, including more than 135 million people with pre-existing conditions.

President Trump has consistently stated that he would only appoint judges who favor overturning the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which the administration aims to do through its support of the Health Care Repeal Lawsuit (California v. Texas) that will come before the Supreme Court in two weeks. He also said in his "60 Minutes" interview that aired last night he hopes the Supreme Court will "end it," in reference to the ACA. It is well established that Judge Barrett has a history of opposing the Affordable Care Act, and she has criticized two prior Supreme Court decisions upholding its constitutionality. Judge Barrett now will be seated on the high court in time to participate in the November 10 oral arguments for California v. Texas, enabling her to take part in the final ruling next year.

In addition, President Trump promised to only nominate judges who share his desire to overturn Roe v. Wade. Judge Barrett clearly meets that test, threatening people's ability to control their own bodies and lives.

Statement of Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, regarding Senate confirmation of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

"Judge Barrett serving on the Supreme Court will be bad for people's health and bad for the health of our country. Today, Senate Republicans showed utter disregard for the record number of people suffering as a result of COVID-19, the nurses and doctors putting their lives on the line to fight this out-of-control pandemic without the support they need, and every person with a pre-existing condition."

"It's been clear from the outset of this process that the Trump administration and Senate Republicans have put a bullseye on the ACA. Now they have confirmed a judge who shares their goal of terminating the law. If the ACA is overturned through a ruling on the California v. Texas case, it would be catastrophic for the tens of millions of people across America who would be stripped of the health coverage and pre-existing condition protections they count on for their overall health and well-being. It would be particularly devastating for Black and Brown people who are more likely to count on the ACA for coverage due to unfair barriers to economic security and employer-sponsored coverage.

"The addition of Judge Barrett to the high court solidifies a conservative majority that doesn't support people's freedom to make decisions about their bodies and lives. This puts abortion access and LGBTQ+ rights at risk. No one should have to worry about Supreme Court justices not believing in their fundamental right to be treated equally and fairly in our country. We are deeply concerned by Judge Barrett's past rulings undercutting civil and LGBTQ+ rights, and she now could play a role in the Supreme Court turning back decades of progress on these fronts.

"This confirmation fight might be over, but Community Catalyst and our advocate partners across the country will continue the fight to protect the ACA, people's access to high-quality, affordable health care, and the freedom to control our own bodies, and to advance civil rights for all people."