WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after the Trump Administration asked the Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Care Act based on the 2017 tax bill vote – threatening to force tens of millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Maine people, off of their health insurance during the global coronavirus pandemic:

“Coronavirus has killed more than 120,000 Americans, transmission rates are rising in many states, and unemployment has spiked dramatically in recent months – meaning more people are losing out on employer-provided health insurance at a time when they need it most,” said Senator King. “I cannot understand why this administration is determined to take away health care for millions of Americans instead of focusing on expanding coverage to more people. To do this during normal times is unconscionable – but during this pandemic, it’s downright cruel. I will continue to oppose all attempts by this White House and its Congressional allies to make Americans choose between their mortgage or medicine.”                                                                                     

According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, nearly 27 million people could lose their employer-sponsored health insurance as a result of losing their job – adding to the existing 27 million Americans who were already uninsured prior to the coronavirus crisis.

Senator King has pushed the government to quickly act to make sure Americans have access to the healthcare they need to stay healthy, and earlier this week joined 38 of his Senate colleagues in a letter urging Congressional leaders to include healthcare expansions in upcoming coronavirus legislation. Prior to that, he pushed the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar to reopen the Affordable Care Act’s online marketplace to allow more un- and under-insured Americans to get health insurance as they face potential health issues related to coronavirus. Last month, he cosponsored bipartisan legislation that would extend a lifeline to rural hospitals and providers and the 60 million Americans who depend on them for health care by providing immediate financial relief, stabilize hospitals, and encourage hospital coordination.