ANA Rejects the Department of Justice Attack on Pre-existing Conditions Protections

CONTACT:
Shannon McClendon, 301-628-5391
shannon.mcclendon@ana.org

Joan Hurwitz, 301-628-5020
joan.hurwitz@ana.org

Silver Spring, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA), which represents the interests of the nation‘s 4 million registered nurses, adamantly rejects the Department of Justice’s position that it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) provisions that extend patient protections to individuals with pre-existing conditions. 

This move runs counter to ANA’s principles for health system transformation and is a clear indicator that the administration remains intent on attacking the healthcare gains made over the past eight years. ANA is deeply concerned that the Justice Department’s position on this matter will erode important consumer protections for the estimated 52 million Americans with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and arthritis. Specifically, the removal of these provisions would allow health insurers to charge higher premiums to Americans with pre-existing conditions, or simply to deny them coverage outright. This is unacceptable and would place at risk critical healthcare services for tens of millions of Americans.

Over the past year, ANA has raised its voice each time the administration or Congress has acted to undermine the core provisions of the ACA that result in decreased access to health care for millions of Americans. ANA urges the Justice Department to adjust its position and seek solutions that ensure Americans can obtain coverage for the care and services they seek without the fear of inflated costs or discrimination. ANA will continue to advocate for and defend universal access to affordable and accessible health care coverage and delivery for all Americans.