John — 13 years ago, on this day, President Barack Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. And it’s still a BFD, as Joe Biden put it.

This landmark legislation lowered health care costs, protected those with pre-existing conditions, and increased the number of insured Americans by the tens of millions.

The legacy of the Affordable Care Act is remarkable. It truly changed the lives of so many hard-working people across the country.

But since the passage of the ACA 13 years ago, what have Republicans done to further improve health care? Worse than nothing.

They voted to repeal the act dozens of times — without success. They petitioned the courts to get the act overturned or ruled unconstitutional, also without success. They’ve run candidate after candidate on the platform of repealing the Affordable Care Act, and well, John, we still have the ACA so clearly not successful there either.

Their latest play? Proposing budget cuts that would gut the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid programs.

That’s right: they’re willing to let 40 million Americans lose their ACA or Medicaid insurance coverage. They don’t care if seniors and people with disabilities end up with worse home care. They don’t care that 100 million Americans with pre-existing conditions face steeper costs for their care.

That is what today’s GOP sees as a winning strategy. Taking away health care, making it more expensive, and stripping key protections for millions.

The cruelty is astounding.

We are in the richest nation in the world, and we should have a health care system that reflects it:

That is why we must have truly universal health care. Health care is a right — not a privilege, and it’s high time we expand coverage and lower costs for every American.

This isn’t just a political talking point. It’s a moral imperative. Navigating our health care system is still a challenge for so many, and too many folks struggle to find the care they need at a price they can afford.

Now is our opportunity, with President Biden in the White House, to expand Medicare coverage.

Look, I understand that this policy change cannot happen overnight. But John, I’m ready to get to work in the Senate to make this a reality, and I’m hoping you’ll add your name alongside mine in a commitment to fight for Medicare for All.

Thank you for your support of this important work. As I said — health care is a right, and it’s one worth fighting for.

— Adam