[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 199 (Tuesday, December 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7738-S7739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

  Mr. SCHUMER. A ruling last Friday from a Federal judge in Texas has 
put the future of the Affordable Care Act in doubt. Every American 
should be aware of the fact that if the rule is upheld, the entire law 
will come crashing down, including health insurance for 20 million 
Americans, protections for 130 million Americans living with 
preexisting conditions, parental health coverage for millions of 
Americans under the age of 26, and essential benefits like maternity 
care, mental health treatment, preventive screenings, money for opioid 
treatment.
  It would cause nothing short of chaos in our healthcare system and 
calamity for millions of American families if this court case were to 
prevail.
  We don't believe the ruling should stand or will stand, but the 
danger it poses is so great that we can't simply hope for the right 
result. We should do something quickly to allow the Senate to be heard 
and to persuade the courts not to tear down the healthcare law.

[[Page S7739]]

  Senator Manchin has a resolution to authorize the Senate legal 
counsel to defend the Affordable Care Act on behalf of the Senate. We 
intend to force a vote on his resolution as soon as possible.
  Every Republican who claims to be for protections for preexisting 
conditions ought to vote aye on that resolution. It is the quickest and 
best way to ensure that the court case against the Affordable Care Act 
does not remove these protections and the rest of our healthcare law.
  Legislation--some of my colleagues are seeking refuge: Well, we will 
just pass legislation to tweak this or tweak that. Legislation would be 
difficult and slow and, frankly, unnecessary at this stage. We know how 
hard it is to do any healthcare legislation in this body.
  Unfortunately, a good number of Republicans and President Trump, by 
their actions, have shown they want to cut healthcare. We are never 
going to get a deal with Democrats in the Senate--or the House 
Democrats who are going to be in charge--on doing that.
  Senator Manchin's proposal is the best and first way to go. I urge my 
friends on the other side--all who talked about preexisting conditions: 
Put your money where your mouth is and support Senator Manchin's 
solution. To Leader McConnell, who says he wants to protect preexisting 
conditions: Bring the Manchin resolution to the floor.

                          ____________________