Today the House of Representatives and Democratic attorneys general submit briefs to the United States Supreme Court in defense of the Affordable Care Act — a case that could affect the health of millions of Michiganders and Americans.
As the case is litigated in court, here’s how U.S. Senator Gary Peters has fought to protect Michiganders and provide them with affordable, accessible health care coverage.
While serving in the House of Representatives, Gary voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act which cut Michigan’s uninsured rate in half, and allowed 1.7 million Michiganders with pre-existing conditions and over 20 million Americans to gain access to quality health care. Because of Gary’s work:
- Insurance companies can no longer discriminate because of pre-existing conditions.
- Women cannot be charged more than men for their health care simply because of their gender.
- Prescription drug prices were lowered relieving seniors of exorbitant costs.
- Young people getting their start in life can stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26.
- People are no longer forced to stay in a job because they need health care.
- Millions of Americans gained a measure of security and stability through affordable health coverage.
As Republicans continue their attempts to repeal and dismantle the Affordable Care Act, Gary has worked diligently to fight for Michiganders access to affordable health care by:
- Being a vocal opponent of the lawsuit to dismantle the health care law and its protections.
- Standing against numerous Republican attempts to repeal the ACASupporting bipartisan measures to improve the ACA and make health care work for Michigan.
- Working to repeal the “Cadillac tax” to lighten the financial burden on workers, and increase federal matching funds for states expanding their Medicaid program which supports Healthy Michigan, a program which over 680,000 Michiganders rely on for coverage.
As communities across the state continue to struggle in the Coronavirus crisis, Gary has fought tirelessly to get results for Michiganders, hospitals, and front line workers. He is putting Michigan first by:
- Calling for a special health care enrollment period to ensure Michiganders have access to health care coverage.
- Working to pass bipartisan legislation that will provide urgently needed new funding for hospitals and COVID-19 testing.
- Sounding the alarms on the United States’ drug supply shortfalls before the COVID-19 pandemic and is working to reestablish domestic drug manufacturing to reduce our dependence on countries like China.
- Fighting for the necessary resources for a new field hospital at the TCF Center in Detroit and the Taylor Armory.
- Proposing the ‘Heroes Fund’ plan, which would ensure that essential workers receive hazard pay through the end of the year.
