WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the following statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) backed a federal judge’s ruling in Texas v. United States that deemed the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. If the decision stands, millions of Americans could be left without health coverage and pre-existing condition protections, and families across the country could see healthcare costs rise.

“While one Department of Justice decision is driving headlines and filling air-time this week, it’s critical that every American be aware that the DOJ is threatening to make it harder for Americans to access healthcare,” said Senator King. “For the life of me, I can’t understand anyone wanting to limit, reduce, or restrict people’s access to health insurance – and yet, this administration continues to attack the legislation that has helped insure millions of Americans. Healthcare isn’t a privilege that can be revoked from those who are too poor or too sick – it’s a prerequisite for anyone seeking a happy, healthy, productive life. We should be trying to build on the work of the Affordable Care Act, not continually trying to tear it down.”

Senator King has been a vocal proponent of protecting and improving the Affordable Care Act, which has helped millions of Americans access healthcare. In July 2018, Senator King joined a group of his colleagues to introduce a resolution that would have authorized the Senate Legal Counsel to intervene in Texas v. United States, and in December 2018 he joined a group of Senate colleagues to call on President Trump to condemn the resulting decision in the case. He has also fought the Administration’s various attempts to sabotage the healthcare law, urged Maine people to sign up for health insurance during the shortened Open Enrollment period, and met with Maine people around the state to discuss the ACA’s importance to their lives.