TODAY: On Day of Texas v. U.S. Oral Arguments – The Latest Trump Attempt to Eliminate Pre-Existing Condition Protections & Overturn The ACA – Udall and Heinrich to Highlight New Mexicans Who Would Be Hurt If Lawsuit Succeeds

WASHINGTON – TODAY, Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. MT / 12:30 p.m. ET on the Senate steps of the U.S. Capitol, on the day of oral arguments in the Trump-administration-backed Texas lawsuit — Republicans’ latest assault on protections for people with pre-existing conditions and the entirety of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich will join Senate and House Democrats to show the faces of Americans who would be hurt if the Trump administration and Republicans succeed in their effort to strike down the ACA, eliminating protections for the 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including roughly 860,000 New Mexicans.

Udall will highlight the story of a New Mexico family whose lives have been changed by the ACA: Jessica, Sam, and their 3 ½-year-old son, Rafe, who has an extremely rare genetic condition called hypotonic cerebral palsy, and was born with cortical visual impairment — a kind of legal blindness — and significant developmental delays. Jessica and Sam have been able to access the intensive medical care, early intervention services, medical equipment, and therapies that Rafe needs through Medicaid but his coverage would be at risk if the Trump administration’s lawsuit succeeds. 

Heinrich will be highlighting Albuquerque resident, Mari Richard, 13, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of nine. With help and peace of mind that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides for people with preexisting conditions, Mari has been able to live a normal life and her parents, Gabe and Leslie, have not had to worry about their daughter’s health care coverage. If President Trump and Republicans succeed in overturning the ACA, Gabe and Leslie are worried about what the loss of protections and comprehensive care would mean for people with preexisting conditions like their daughter.

TODAY, Tuesday, July 9, 2019

WHAT: Udall and Heinrich to join Senate and House Democrats to highlight story of New Mexico family who would be hurt if the Trump administration and Republicans succeed in their effort to strike down the ACA 

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. MT / 12:30 p.m. ET

WHERE: Senate Steps (East Front)

U.S. Capitol Building

The event will be livestreamed HERE.