Trump-stacked Supreme Court threatens millions of Americans’ health care

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court today heard oral argument in California v. Texas, a case that seeks to strike down the Affordable Care Act, jeopardizing health care coverage for millions of Americans. The National Education Association — the nation’s largest union representing more than 3 million educators, health care workers and public employees — signed onto an amicus brief urging the court to uphold the health care law.

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:

“No matter our race, background, sex or ZIP code, everyone deserves access to affordable and high-quality health care insurance. That’s why Congress decisively passed the Affordable Care Act, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the constitutionality of the health care law as challenge after challenge has come before the court over the past decade.

“As we mark a grim milestone that 10 million Americans have been infected with COVID-19 and more than 240,000 souls have died from this horrible disease, the Supreme Court is hearing oral argument in California v. Texas that could unravel the Affordable Care Act. This Trump-stacked court now has the power to decide whether to protect people’s health care or to deny health care to those with pre-existing conditions — in the middle of a pandemic. Safeguarding the health and safety of students, families and our communities is a national priority, and any attempt to dismantle the health care, on which more than 20 million Americans depend, should be soundly rejected.”