Saunders commends court’s decision to uphold the ACA; ‘working families can rest easy tonight’

WASHINGTON — AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement responding to the United States Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision in California v. Texas, ruling that the plaintiffs had no standing to challenge the Affordable Care Act:

“The court’s decision today is a huge victory – for basic fairness, for the rule of law, and especially for those who would have been cruelly stripped of their health care during a once-in-a-century global pandemic.

“California v. Texas represented a brazen attempt to destroy the Affordable Care Act, eliminating benefits and protections that are a lifeline for tens of millions of people.

“Working families can rest a little easier tonight, with the peace of mind that they can access health care when they need it, that they won’t be bankrupted by a medical emergency, that they won’t be denied coverage based on a preexisting condition.

“The ACA has been the established law of the land for more than a decade now. It is popular. It is working. It is time for an end to the political attacks and the meritless lawsuits.

“Now, let’s work together to strengthen the ACA and build on its successes. The health care investments in the American Rescue Plan are a good start. We look forward to working with the administration to build on this start.”