Pennsylvania Democratic Party Blast Trump-Republican Lawsuit to Dismantle Affordable Care Act in Middle of Pandemic

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, June 26 -- The Pennsylvania Democratic Party issued the following news:

The Trump administration and 18 Republican governors and attorneys general are filing their opening briefs with the Supreme Court in California v. Texas-- a reckless lawsuit that could jeopardize health care for as many as 5.3 million Pennsylvanians during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

"Not even a pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 120,000 Americans is enough to stop Trump's reckless attacks on our health care," said Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesman Andres Anzola. "This Republican lawsuit could rip away protections for preexisting conditions from as many as 5.3 million Pennsylvanians and another 996,000 could lose health care coverage altogether.

"Access to health care has never been more critical, but Trump and his allies just don't get it. Democrats in Congress are working on new legislation to lower costs, expand coverage, and strengthen protections for pre-existing conditions. The contrast has never been more clear: while Republicans are working to rip away health care, Democrats are fighting to make access easier and expand coverage. Voters have a choice in November and they'll choose the side that cares about the health and well-being of their families."

More on the devastating impact of the Trump administration's lawsuit:

* 996,000 Pennsylvanians could lose coverage. According to the Center for American Progress, 996,000 Pennsylvanians would lose coverage by repealing the Affordable Care Act, leading to a massive increase in the uninsured rate.

* 5,329,500 Pennsylvanians with a pre-existing condition could lose protections, including 642,700 Pennsylvania children, 2,595,000 Pennsylvania women, and 1,359,900 Pennsylvanians between ages 55 and 64.

* 89,000 Pennsylvania young adults with their parents' coverage could lose care. Because of the Affordable Care Act, millions of young adults are able to stay on their parents' care until age 26.

* 307,895 Pennsylvanians in the marketplaces would pay more for coverage. If the Trump-GOP lawsuit is successful, consumers would no longer have access to tax credits that help them pay their marketplace premiums, meaning roughly nine million people who receive these tax credits to pay for coverage will have to pay more, including 307,895 in Pennsylvania.

* 275,604 Pennsylvania seniors could have to pay more for prescription drugs. If the Trump-GOP lawsuit is successful, seniors could have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare "donut" hole would be reopened. From 2010 to 2016, "More than 11.8 million Medicare beneficiaries have received discounts over $26.8 billion on prescription drugs - an average of $2,272 per beneficiary," according to a January 2017 CMS report. In Pennsylvania, 275,604 seniors each saved an average of $1,137.

* 800,900 Pennsylvanians enrolled through Medicaid expansion could lose coverage. Seventeen million people have coverage through the expanded Medicaid program, including 800,900 in Pennsylvania.