Schakowsky statement on the latest Republican attack on Americans' health care

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to refuse to defend the Affordable Care Act in court, leaving millions of people in jeopardy of losing their insurance coverage:

“The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress have been obsessive and persistent in their cruel campaign to rip health care away from millions of Americans.

“The Administration’s unprecedented decision to refuse to defend federal law in court is an atrocity. Their actions could have devastating consequences for women, people with disabilities, working families, and the 130 million Americans living with pre-existing conditions. Over the past two years, while Republicans have attempted to use every legal and legislative avenue at their disposal to sabotage or destroy the American health care system, I have heard from countless constituents who are terrified and outraged at the prospect of losing the protections gained from the Affordable Care Act.

“Before the ACA was signed into law, being a woman could be considered a pre-existing condition. One-third of women who tried to buy a health plan on their own were either turned down or charged a higher premium. Pregnancy was considered a pre-existing condition and some insurance companies even used to consider medical treatment related to domestic violence and rape a pre-existing condition -- preventing survivors from getting care. The Trump Administration is working overtime to take women back to those days. We cannot allow them to get their way.”