Rep. Harder Issues Statement on Affordable Care Act Lawsuit

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 -- Rep. Joshua Harder, D-California, issued the following statement:

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- Texas-Led Lawsuit Could End Coverage for Millions of Americans

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Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) released the following statement in response to an appeals court ruling that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual mandate is unconstitutional. The case will return to a lower court, which will determine whether or not to throw out the entire law. If the law is repealed, millions of Americans would lose health care coverage. Republicans have yet to agree on a health care proposal that will preserve insurance protections for individuals with preexisting conditions.

"This could mean the end of health care coverage for literally millions of people - including almost 100,000 Central Valley residents with preexisting conditions like my little brother, David.

"Washington Republicans - including the president - have been trying to kill the ACA for years. They failed in Congress dozens of times and they failed in front of the Supreme Court, but this last-ditch attack could actually work in front of a radical judge in Texas.

"I will keep fighting not only to lower the cost of care but also to protect the expanded coverage that has literally saved thousands of lives."