Roundup: Dem Govs Condemn Republican Lawsuit Against Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 -- The Democratic Governors Association issued the following news:

Democratic governors across the country condemned the decision by a Texas judge Friday that undermined the entirety of the Affordable Care Act.

Democratic governors promised to fight the Texas decision and to lead in their states on ensuring more people had the ability to enroll for health coverage. Democratic governors have been a leading voice on protecting health care coverage, and stopping attempts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act.

Below is a roundup of their statements reacting to the Texas decision.

DGA Chair Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo (https://twitter.com/GovRaimondo/status/1074002454847606786)

"Yesterday's ruling in Texas is dangerous, destructive and threatens the health care coverage of thousands of Rhode Islanders, particularly those with preexisting conditions who rely on the ACA's essential consumer protections. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Rhode Island has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country, and HealthSource RI offers among the lowest premiums in the country. I will continue to stand up for access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Rhode Islanders and will take all steps necessary to protect the ACA."

DGA Vice Chair New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (https://www.nj.gov/governor/news/news/562018/approved/20181215b.shtml)

"Friday night's ruling by a judge in Dallas threw the final hours of the Affordable Care Act's 2019 open enrollment period into disarray. The reality is that the Affordable Care Act is still fully in place, and will remain so throughout the appeals process. We still have a responsibility to ensure every eligible resident who needs health care has the opportunity to get it. I call on the Trump Administration to extend this year's enrollment period to allow us the chance to do just that, and to make it clear that the Affordable Care Act and its protections remain the law."

DGA Policy Chair New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1074667412031750149)

"While the Texas courts wrongly and cruelly struck down the ACA, all New Yorkers should know your health care remains covered and unchanged.

Open Enrollment in New York State closes Jan 31"

Governor of Connecticut Dan Malloy (https://twitter.com/GovMalloyOffice/status/1073787802343608320)

"This decision defies logic and puts health coverage for millions of people and tens of thousands of Connecticut residents at risk. If it is allowed to stand people with pre-existing conditions will once again be denied coverage when they get sick - and many would literally die because of it. Republicans in Washington and Connecticut have spent years trying to do exactly what this ruling would impose. Today they're one step closer to their goal of stripping health coverage from middle class families. It's nothing short of despicable, and Connecticut will fight in court to preserve the #ACA."

Governor of Colorado John Hickenlooper (https://twitter.com/GovofCO/status/1073968873769037824)

"This ruling would yank life saving health care coverage away for 20 million Americans, including more than a half million Coloradans if implemented. We are confident the law will ultimately be upheld. We urge Republicans and Democrats in Congress to work with Governors to implement bipartisan health care solutions that will lower costs and improve quality for all Americans. It is disappointing that those who still oppose this law have chosen to create anxiety and confusion instead of proposing solutions that will make quality affordable health coverage more available. #ACA"

Governor of California Jerry Brown (https://twitter.com/GovPressOffice/status/1073764260352733184)

"This Texas judge has no right to deprive millions of Californians of their health care by invalidating the Affordable Care Act. California will vigorously fight this wanton and cruel action."

Governor of Washington Jay Inslee (https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-affordable-care-act-federal-ruling)

"Sign up now - this attack on healthcare should not stop any Washingtonian from getting coverage. No one should let President Trump scare them off access to healthcare.

"This ruling has no impact on Washingtonians' current access to healthcare. It is merely one step in a long legal battle and we stand ready to take action to protect health coverage for Washingtonians.

"The Affordable Care Act has provided coverage for more than 800,000 people in our state. Under the law, more than 100,000 Washingtonians have been able to access behavioral health services, 51,000 jobs have been created, pre-existing conditions are protected, and uninsured rates are at a record low. President Trump and opponents of the ACA have tried repeatedly to stop this progress and we have thwarted them at every turn. This decision is no different. We will not be going backward.

"I urge individuals and families to sign up today to protect their coverage for the coming year at Washington Healthplanfinder."

Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Wolf (https://www.governor.pa.gov/wolf-administration-condemns-anti-health-care-ruling-vows-protect-pennsylvanians/)

"If this decision were to be upheld by the higher courts, it could jeopardize coverage for the over 1.1 million Pennsylvanians who have gained coverage only available to them because of the ACA," Governor Wolf said. "This would move our health care system backwards to a time when millions of Pennsylvania residents weren't protected from losing their insurance and Pennsylvania's uninsured rate was almost triple today's rate. These outcomes are simply unacceptable. If any court does damage to the Affordable Care Act, I vow to do everything in my power to enact changes at the state level to protect Pennsylvanians, especially vulnerable populations and those with pre-existing conditions."

"We fully anticipate an immediate appeal of this decision, and expect the courts will ultimately keep the ACA and its vital protections for millions of Americans in place, as they have consistently ruled in previous legal challenges," Commissioner Altman continued. "It is important for all consumers to understand that the plans they are enrolled in today have not changed and any individual health plans they have purchased during open enrollment will still contain these important comprehensive benefits for 2019. Open enrollment continues today, and anyone purchasing a plan on healthcare.gov will also have access to coverage for their children up to age 26, and get all the essential health benefits guaranteed by the ACA."

"Governor Wolf's expansion of Medicaid under the ACA, along with his entire administration's work to get more people insured, has led to our state's uninsured rate dropping to an all-time low of 5.5 percent in 2017," Secretary Miller said. "We will continue to fight to protect the comprehensive coverage for vulnerable Pennsylvanians, including Medicaid access, especially for people with pre-existing and chronic conditions and substance use and mental health disorders. We want more Pennsylvanians to have coverage and access, not less."

Governor of Oregon Kate Brown (https://twitter.com/LouisianaGov/status/1073788648217329664)

"The federal ruling on the #ACA today is just one more sign this administration is doing everything in its power to take away health care from Americans. On this Friday evening, the federal government is turning a deaf ear to the American public, who overwhelmingly rejected efforts in Congress to hike rates, limit benefits, or deny coverage simply for having widespread health conditions. We cannot stand idly by while the federal government tries to undermine the foundation of a healthy society. In Oregon, we'll continue to fight. We'll fight for children, for people with #preexistingconditions, for seniors and for all of the hardworking people who rely on the #ACA to afford their health care. This is not over. This case will be appealed, all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. And in the meantime, I will do everything in my power to ensure that coverage will continue."

Governor of Louisiana John Bel Edwards

"Nearly 850,000 Louisianans with a pre-existing health condition face uncertainty and could lose their health insurance as a result of a lawsuit that Attorney General Jeff Landry supported. Even more troubling is that 480,000 working Louisianans on Medicaid expansion could lose their health insurance over this decision. Being diagnosed with breast cancer or diabetes should not automatically mean that you are denied coverage to protect an insurance company's profits, and if you put in a full day's work, you should not be priced out of coverage. This was a short-sighted lawsuit, to say the least. I intend to vigorously pursue legislation to protect individuals with pre-existing conditions from losing their health insurance and ensuring the working people of our state aren't penalized because of this decision."

Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam (https://twitter.com/GovernorVA/status/1073932056193851392)

"The prospect of millions of Americans losing their healthcare isn't "great news" @realdonaldtrump."

Governor-elect of Minnesota Tim Walz (https://twitter.com/Tim_Walz/status/1074087141016244224)

"And to be very clear, given the Texas court case: the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land.

"Today is the last day you can get covered (up until midnight)!http://mnsure.org"

Governor-elect of California Gavin Newsom (https://twitter.com/GavinNewsom/status/1073783222968889344)

"This outrageous and misguided ruling endangers tens of millions of people's healthcare. It puts pre-existing conditions protections at risk and the coverage of 7.3 million children and young adults in jeopardy.

"Have no doubt -- CA will fight back."

Governor-elect of Maine Janet Mills (https://www.pressherald.com/2018/12/15/mills-decries-federal-judges-ruling-against-affordable-care-act/)

"This is a backward, poorly-reasoned decision, but it does not change the fact that the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land. "I pledge to the people of Maine that, as their governor, I will fight not only to preserve and protect their health care, but also to work with the Legislature to strengthen it."

Governor-elect of Nevada Steve Sisolak (https://mailchi.mp/b8f075fa6fd0/p7v6ljs0tf-210605?e=f1324c83f3)

"Health care is a right, not a privilege. The Affordable Care Act is a lifeline that hundreds of thousands of Nevadans rely on for quality, affordable care, and guaranteed coverage regardless of health, age, or gender. These constant attacks on this law are direct attacks on the working families that depend on it, and I will not sit by as they continue. As the incoming executive of the state, in coordination with Attorney General-elect Ford, I will, as a first act, join the intervenor states in their efforts to uphold the constitutionality of the ACA. Nevada families are counting on us to stand with them and that is what I intend to do."

Governor-Elect of Wisconsin Tony Evers (https://twitter.com/GovElectEvers/status/1074098585317371905)

"Last night's Texas vs. HHS decision is a desperate attempt to sabotage the Affordable Care Act and access to healthcare across our country. Unfortunately, @GovWalker authorized Wisconsin to join this lawsuit, putting affordable, accessible health care in jeopardy for millions across our state, including 2.4 million Wisconsinites who have pre-existing conditions..@GovWalker even doubled down by signing legislation that overrides the will of the people and limits my administration's ability to withdraw from lawsuits like this. On Nov. 6th, the people of WI demanded a change. They asked us to stop using healthcare as a political football. It's time to stop putting politics before people & protect access to affordable health care, including maximizing protections for people with pre-existing conditions."