Justice Department’s Decision Regarding Affordable Care Act Risks Access to Care
June 8, 2018
The Trump administration’s Justice Department will not defend key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), according to a response filed in federal court yesterday. The court case – brought against the federal government by Texas and 19 other states – claims the ACA’s individual mandate is unconstitutional.
If the Justice Department’s argument is accepted by the court, it could strike fundamental components of ACA, most importantly the protections in place to prevent insurers from denying coverage based on medical coverage and history.
“The Justice Department’s position threatens a core piece of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” commented Susan H. Connors, BIAA’s president and chief executive officer. “If the court agrees, people with pre-existing conditions – like brain injury – will likely be forced to pay higher premiums and ultimately lose access to essential treatment and rehabilitation.”
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