Rep. Wexton Hosts a ‘Congressional Playdate Made Possible by the ACA’ With Little Lobbyists Families

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 -- Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Virginia, issued the following news release:

On Friday, August 9, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) hosted a "Congressional Playdate Made Possible by the ACA" with the parents and children from Little Lobbyists at Clemyjontri Park in Fairfax County. The Little Lobbyists are an advocacy group seeking to protect and expand the rights of children who have complex medical needs and disabilities.

"For families with children who have complex medical needs, keeping the Affordable Care Act intact can be the difference between life or death for their kids," said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. "Meetings like this remind me exactly who I'm fighting for every day in Congress. No family in America should have to worry about going bankrupt over access to life-saving medical care. Children with complex medical needs or disabilities--just like all kids--deserve every opportunity to grow and thrive."

WATCH: Rep. Wexton Hosts "Congressional Playdate Made Possible by the ACA"

The parents highlighted the importance of defending the Affordable Care Act (ACA), particularly the protections for those with pre-existing conditions, and they stressed the need to stabilize and strengthen the individual health insurance marketplace. The families gathered at the park were adamant that--for many of their children--keeping the ACA intact means life or death.

"Our children who have complex medical needs and disabilities are thriving and playing in the sunshine with their Congresswoman because of the Affordable Care Act, which ensures they can't be denied health insurance for having pre-existing conditions or having met an annual or lifetime cap," said Tasha Nelson, Chapter Leader of Little Lobbyists Virginia. "We need more elected officials like Congresswoman Wexton who are eager to meet with our children, get to know their stories, and fight for them to have access to high-quality, affordable healthcare."

Following the discussion on healthcare, Congresswoman Wexton spent time playing with the children in the accessibility-friendly park.