On Thursday, June 25, the Trump administration sent a late-night court filing to the Supreme Court, pushing once again for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to be overturned. The American Heart Association (AHA) has released a new statement condemning the action, noting that the ACA has provided “invaluable patient protections for millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions.”
“To push forward on attempts to overturn the ACA during the worst public health crisis in the last century poses a huge threat to the public health of our nation,” the AHA wrote in its statement. “While data on race, under-resourced communities and the coronavirus is too limited to draw conclusions, disproportionately high rates of sickness—and death—are the reality in too many instances for people of color. To overturn the ACA, would only exacerbate health disparities.”
The AHA emphasized that “meaningful health insurance coverage” is crucial, especially for individuals with a history of stroke or heart disease who are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19.
“We will continue to advocate for the quality care that patients need and the protections that they deserve,” the group added.
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.