[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 5 (Thursday, January 10, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      AFFORDABLE CARE ACT LAWSUIT

  (Mr. MORELLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MORELLE. Madam Speaker, this is a frustrating time in Washington, 
in which most of us have been focused on the ongoing government 
shutdown. But I want to take a moment to talk about something positive 
the House is doing to protect everyday Americans across this country.
  My colleagues and I have passed a motion to intervene in the Texas 
vs. United States lawsuit. If allowed to stand, this lower court ruling 
would pull the rug out from under millions of Americans who rely on the 
Affordable Care Act for health coverage, many of whom were denied 
coverage in the past for a preexisting condition.
  133 million Americans are living with chronic illness, serious 
medical conditions, or even minor medical histories that used to 
disqualify them from all but the most expensive insurance coverage. We 
cannot return to a time when a cancer survivor or a child with diabetes 
is rejected for coverage because of a preexisting condition.
  Affordable, quality healthcare should be a right for every American, 
and we should be making it easier, not harder, for everyone to get the 
insurance they deserve. That is why I am proud that the House has taken 
the action to intervene in the lawsuit, demonstrating our steadfast 
commitment to fighting back against those who seek to dismantle the 
fundamental protections no person should be denied.
  I will continue to work tirelessly with my colleagues to uphold and 
protect access to American healthcare.

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