Press Releases
12/18/2019
ATTORNEY GENERAL TONG: 'WE WILL CONTINUE OUR FIGHT FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE, AND TO PROTECT CONNECTICUT FAMILIES'
Vows to join sister states in taking action to challenge Federal Appeals Court ruling that ACA’s individual mandate is unconstitutional
Attorney General William Tong issued the following statement today after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling that the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that Americans have health insurance — a key provision of the ACA — is unconstitutional.
“We will continue our fight against the attack on our nation’s healthcare system and the millions of Americans who have gained coverage and quality healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. For the 250,000 Connecticut residents who have benefited from the expansion of Medicaid, to the thousands of young adults under the age of 26 who now have insurance, to the nearly half a million residents with pre-existing conditions, life without healthcare is not an option. Connecticut will join its sister states in taking swift action to challenge this faulty and flawed decision. We will continue our fight for affordable healthcare, and to protect Connecticut families,” said Attorney General Tong.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit’s ruling, if ultimately upheld, could jeopardize rights and protections for:
- More than 12 million Americans who received coverage through Medicaid expansion;
- Nearly 9 million individuals nationwide who receive tax credits to help afford insurance through individual marketplaces;
- Millions of working families who rely on high-quality employer-sponsored insurance plans; and
- Nearly $1.3 trillion in federal funding, including Medicaid expansion and public health dollars.
For now, Wednesday’s decision does not invalidate any of the important protections and benefits listed above, and the ACA's protections remain fully in effect subject to further court proceedings.
- Twitter: @AGWilliamTong
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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Benton
elizabeth.benton@ct.gov
860-808-5324 (office)
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attorney.general@ct.gov