Fellow Illinoisan,

We are at a critical moment in our nation’s history.  In the throes of a devastating pandemic, more than 215,000 Americans are dead and more than 7.7 million have been infected with COVID-19.  Each day we are reminded of how this pandemic has changed our lives and changed America.

This also means that more than seven million Americans infected with COVID-19 now join the ranks of patients with cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma, and depression in qualifying as having a pre-existing condition.  Thankfully, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains the law of the land - for now - and people with pre-existing conditions are protected from being charged more or denied coverage.  But these essential protections are in serious jeopardy of going away.

DURBIN: THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IS AT STAKE IN THIS SUPREME COURT NOMINATION

Republicans have been obsessed with eliminating the Affordable Care Act for nearly a decade.  They tried it in Congress and failed, so now they want to use the Supreme Court to do what they could not -- and  President Trump has made clear that opposition to the ACA is a litmus test for his Supreme Court nominees.  That’s why Republicans are in such a rush to confirm Judge Barrett -- once she’s on the Court, they believe they will have the votes they need to strike down the ACA and eliminate protections for pre-existing conditions when the Court hears oral arguments on the fate of the law one week after Election Day. 

If they succeed, more than 20 million Americans will lose their health insurance and access to care.  Insurers will once again be allowed to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.  Lifetime caps on coverage will return.  Seniors could be charged more for prescription drugs.  And young adults will no longer be able to stay on their parent’s plans up to age 26.  

Eliminating the Affordable Care Act would be a disaster.  And make no mistake -- there is no Republican replacement plan.  They have had ten years and have still not put forward any credible plan to replace the ACA. 

This is what is at stake with Judge Barrett’s nomination -- millions of Americans losing their health care in the midst of a deadly pandemic.  We can’t let that happen.  We must fight for the right of every American to access affordable, quality health care. 

Sincerely,

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL)