Contact: Aaron White
Phone: 202-225-5506
Aaron.White@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Ron Kind slammed the Trump Administration’s new legal brief requesting that the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals strike down protections for people with pre-existing conditions and every additional patient protection granted under the Affordable Care Act. The brief was filed in Texas v. United States, a lawsuit previously led by Wisconsin’s former governor, which aims to dismantle the entirety of the Affordable Care Act.
This comes at the same time Wisconsin Republican lawmakers announce their plan to reject Governor Evers’ budget and directive to expand Medicaid (Badgercare Plus) under the Affordable Care Act, denying coverage to 82,000 additional Wisconsinites. Expanding Medicaid would free up $324 million in state funds, which could be used elsewhere in the Wisconsin state budget.
“This is yet another unacceptable attack on the health and wellbeing of Wisconsinites. Time and time again, the other side has put politics over patients, and is threatening access to care for Wisconsin seniors, families and individuals living with pre-existing conditions – without a viable alternative or Plan B. I stand committed to defending our care, and will continue to stand up to this health care sabotage,” said Rep. Ron Kind.
Next week, the House will vote on H.R. 986, the Protecting Americans with Pre-existing Conditions Act, to strengthen and reinforce lifesaving protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
Nearly 2.5 million Wisconsinites live with a pre-existing condition, and 207,000 purchased their health care for 2019 on the ACA health insurance exchange. Nationally, 130 million people live with a pre-existing condition.
Rep. Kind’s office is open and ready to help any Wisconsinite with questions about their healthcare or navigating the health care Marketplace. Wisconsinites can call his office toll-free: 1-888-442-8040, or visit his website: kind.house.gov.
