19 Dec DIVIDED COURT ISSUES A DELAY ON ACA CASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DECEMBER 18, 2019 

LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals made a decision in the case of Texas v. United States (also known as Texas v. Azar). The majority, in a split 2-1 decision, sent the case BACK to the District Court for further investigation. This is EXACTLY the scenario that opponents of the ACA hoped for and publicly signaled their desire for: a delay until after the 2020 election. 

Battle Born Progress Executive Director, Annette Magnus, issued the following statement: 

 “Today’s decision shows us that the fight to protect the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is far from over. During the last three years, Trump’s destructive leadership has emboldened special interests who oppose Americans having access to healthcare into taking action to dismantle the ACA. After failing to undo the ACA in the Senate, the GOP strategy shifted to using the federal courts to attack our healthcare without having to go on record. 

Today’s delay tactic by the 5th Circuit allows millions of families to breathe a temporary sigh of relief. The ACA remains in danger of being dismantled by the same narrow-minded, elitist District Court judge who decided last year that Americans don’t deserve access to affordable healthcare. 

ACA opponents have demonstrated they want nothing less than a complete repeal of the law, to dismantle protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and to rip away health care coverage for millions of people. Regardless of the next action in this case, it’s vital that all Americans understand the implications of this case themselves and their families. We must continue to advance a positive agenda on healthcare that expands coverage, decreases costs, and ensures everyone can access the healthcare they need. 

In Nevada, support for the ACA is overwhelming, with our Governor, Attorney General, and all but one of our Congressional delegation standing united against efforts by this administration to sabotage Nevadans’ healthcare. If the ACA is repealed or ultimately struck down, President Trump will have to answer to the 1.1 million Nevadans with preexisting conditions who will lose access to their healthcare overnight.”

Spokespeople in Spanish or English are available for individual interviews.

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About Battle Born Progress: BBP, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.