REP. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT VOTES TO DEFEND AMERICANS’ HEALTH CARE AND PROTECT PEOPLE WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS

   Today, Rep. Adriano Espaillat joined House Democrats to take action to protect New Yorkers’ health care by passing a resolution that strengthens Congress’s hand to intervene against the Republicans’ monstrous Texas v. U.S. lawsuit, which seeks to strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act and its life-saving protections against discrimination of 8.4 million New Yorkers with pre-existing conditions.  This resolution affirms the House Counsel’s authorization to intervene as a party in the lawsuit, asserting the House of Representatives’ authority to defend laws it has passed and enacted into law.

“The American people elected a Democratic Congress that would protect their quality, affordable health care, and put an end to Republicans vindictive and irresponsible attacks on their health care and livelihoods,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat . “I am proud to stand with my colleagues and the American people to deliver that promise and give the Congress the tools it needs to defend the health care of hard-working New York residents and families.  Democrats won’t stand by idly in the face of this lawsuit and the GOP’s cruel campaign to dismantle health care in our communities.”

In December, a federal district court judge in Texas ruled in favor of Republican Attorneys General, issuing a decision that would strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act, including:

•  Protections for people with pre-existing conditions;

•  The ban on lifetime and annual limits on health coverage;

•  The Medicaid expansion covering 15 million Americans;

•  Health insurance affordability tax credits assisting 9 million Americans;

•  Bans on discriminatory insurance practices that would unfairly force women to pay more for coverage;

•  Young adults’ ability to remain on their parents’ insurance until age 26, and more.

“Our Democratic Congress is For The People, and we have wasted no time getting to work to protect families’ health care and financial security,” he continued.  “A Democratic Majority means an end to the GOP attacks on health care, and a fresh focus on lowering health costs and the price of prescription drugs, protecting people with pre-existing conditions against coverage discrimination and harmful underwriting, and preserving Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.  In stark contrast to the Republicans, we are delivering results for hard-working families and workers in New York and in communities across America.”