| Charlottesville, Va. – On July 9, the first day of arguments in the Texas v. United States lawsuit that threatens to derail health coverage and consumer protections for millions of Americans, local health care advocates, leaders, and people who get coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will gather at 12 noon at the Freedom of SpeechWall on the Downtown Mall to hold a media conference to protest this latest attack on health care. Seventeen states are plaintiffs in the case, backed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which has refused to defend the ACA in court. DOJ filed a brief in March arguing that the entire law should be overturned. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, along with more than 20 state Attorneys General, including Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring, and the U.S. House of Representatives, are leading the legal defense of the ACA in an effort to preserve coverage for more than 20 million people, pre-existing condition protections for 130 million people, and other key provisions of ACA that lower drug prices for seniors, provide coverage to people up to age 26 on their parents’ plans, and stop insurers from charging women more than men for the same coverage. Speakers will discuss the potentially devastating consequences of rolling back the law in Virginia, including loss of private or Medicaid coverage for 642,000 people. WHO: Virginia Organizing leaders and members who are directly affected by these health care policies. WHAT: Media event to discuss potential consequences of the Texas v. United States court decision on Virginians and their health care coverage. WHEN: Tuesday, July 9 at 12 noon. WHERE: Freedom of Speech Wall, Downtown Mall, Charlottesville, VA 22903 |
