WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement to reiterate the importance of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Texas v. California, a Republican-backed lawsuit to strike down the ACA and its protections:

“The Affordable Care Act ensures that every American, regardless of medical history or employment, has access to affordable and quality health care. The ACA is a lifeline to those who may otherwise be unable to secure insurance and is crucial to maintain as our nation continues to battle an economic crisis and global pandemic that has claimed the lives of over 239,000 of our fellow Americans.

“In California, nearly 12.5 million low-income individuals are enrolled in Medi-Cal through the ACA expansion, 1.5 million get their coverage through the state’s ACA marketplace and 16.8 million nonelderly residents with preexisting conditions are protected from being rejected by a health insurer. Jeopardizing the future of their health coverage during a public health emergency, as many struggle to even keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table, is unconscionable.

“Since 2011, Republicans have voted dozens of times to repeal the ACA and rip away health care from millions. When that failed, they turned to the court system. As we await the Supreme Court’s final decision, I will do everything in my power to preserve the coverage and protections on which so many Americans depend. We are never done in our work to improve our health care system, and I promise to remain vigilant in the fight to expand access and lower costs until San Diegans are guaranteed the health care they deserve.”