Rep. Hoyer Issues Statement on Trump Administration Agreeing With District Court Ruling on Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Maryland, issued the following statement after the Trump administration filed a brief agreeing with a district court ruling that the entire Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional:

"In the brief it filed last night in the Texas case against the Affordable Care Act, the Trump Administration endorses taking health coverage away from millions of Americans and eliminating consumer protections for tens of millions more, including the law's protections for those with pre-existing health conditions.

"If successful, the Administration and its fellow litigants would see those with cancer, asthma, diabetes, and other chronic ailments made effectively uninsurable.

"Once more, those living with pre-existing conditions would be forced to choose between paying for prescription drugs and doctor visits or paying for housing, food, or utility bills. No one should have to face those choices. That is why Democrats enshrined these protections for people with pre-existing conditions in the Affordable Care Act. It is why we defeated Republican efforts to repeal the law.

"It is why we are defending the law against Republican attacks in the courts. And it is why we are introducing legislation today that will strengthen and stabilize our health care system, protect those with pre-existing conditions, and make health coverage more affordable."