NEW: Video Highlights Democratic AGs Defense of the ACA Against GOP Attacks; Calls on Voters to Join the Fight to Protect Health Care  

WASHINGTON, D.C.— To mark the 10^th Anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) is highlighting Democratic Attorney General leadership in the fight to protect health care and defend the ACA.

Right now, a Democratic AG coalition led by California AG Xavier Becerra is fighting in court to save health care for 20 Million Americans and protect coverage for 135+ Million Americans with a pre-existing condition. Democratic AGs are standing up to President Trump and 17 Republican AGs (and one GOP governor) who filed a lawsuit that would gut critical care for families and communities everywhere. The case, now called California vs. Texas, will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court next term.

“As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, especially in these fraught times, it is important to celebrate the progress we’ve made and the access to health care that is now available to millions more people across the country,” noted DAGA Co-Chair Oregon AG Ellen Rosenblum. “Unfortunately, the Republicans are still trying to destroy the ACA; and they do not seem to care about those with pre-existing conditions who are at risk if they succeed. Democratic Attorneys General will continue to fight tirelessly to protect health care for all Americans who need it–and that’s everyone!”

“While we celebrate the improvements the Affordable Care Act has made for millions, we also must remember this isn’t just a fight just about the law, it’s a fight about who we are as a country, our values, and whether we’re going to take care of each other,” added DAGA Co-Chair Massachusetts AG Maura Healey. “Democratic Attorneys General will continue to hold the line for the American people. We will continue to use all the legal tools available to make sure people have the care they need.”

“When it comes to our health and well-being, failure is not an option. In challenging the health care repeal lawsuit, we’re committed to saving the Affordable Care Act and with it, the lives of our loved ones,” said California AG Xavier Becerra. “Particularly in this new reality created by COVID-19, no one should want to risk access to public health. I would hope anyone in this country, no matter their political affiliation, would see having access to decent, affordable health care as a principle we can all accept.”

The legal fight over the Affordable Care Act is complicated. As part of the committee’s effort to educate voters on the vital role Democratic AGs are playing in the health care debate, DAGA released a new video that explains how the lawsuit moved through the courts, where we are today, and how voters can get involved in the fight to protect health care.

“DAGA will continue to extol and amplify the work Democratic Attorneys General do on behalf of the people in their states and jurisdictions, especially on critical issues like health care,” said Sean Rankin, Executive Director of the Democratic Attorneys General Association. “In the face of wrong-headed attacks from an extreme GOP attempting to use the courts to steal health care from tens of millions of Americans after failing to do so in Congress, Democratic AGs now play the central role in the fight to protect the ACA, and make sure families and communities have the health care they need.”

Health care is a top voting issue heading into the 2020 Elections this fall. In November, there will be 12 AG seats on the political map, including four incumbent Republican AGs who are a part of the GOP lawsuit to destroy the Affordable Care Act: Indiana AG Curtis Hill, Missouri AG Eric Schmitt, Utah AG Sean Reyes, and West Virginia AG Patrick Morrisey. They all are Democratic targets.

“It’s simple: if you care about your health care, vote for a Democratic Attorney General,” added Farah Melendez, political director at the Democratic Attorneys General Association. “Health care is on the ballot in 2020, and so are Republican AGs who are on the wrong side of the health care fight. It’s on all of us to elect Democratic AGs who will fight to protect our families and communities.”

For more information on Democratic AGs and the health care fight, check out this backgrounder.