Rep. Cisneros Issues Statement on 5th Circuit Court Ruling on Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Gilbert Cisneros, D-California, issued the following statement on a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which struck down the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act and asked the Texas district court to determine if the rest of the law could stand:

"This disastrous ruling from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals jeopardizes the healthcare of people in the 39th District and all across the country.

"For the 319,500 constituents in my district with pre-existing conditions who depend on the Affordable Care Act, this decision means life and death. It's unacceptable that this Administration continues to undermine the healthcare law at every turn, without any concern of the impact to the people in the 39th and the rest of the United States. Since my first day of Congress, I have made it a top priority to protect and fight for protections for pre-existing conditions.

"I will continue to do so because every American deserves quality, affordable healthcare."

Earlier this year, Rep. Cisneros voted to authorize the House of Representatives to intervene in the Texas lawsuit to strike down the ACA. Rep. Cisneros also supported H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions Act, and H.R. 987, The Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act, which passed the House following a letter sent to House Committee leaders urging quick action to stabilize the healthcare marketplace, reverse the Administration's undermining of ACA, and lower healthcare costs for consumers.