FHJP's statement on the Affordable Care Act surviving the latest challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court

Media Contact: Alison Yager, Executive Director
yager@floridahealthjustice.org, 646.322.8111

Statement in Response to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in California v. Texas

Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a huge victory for the people of Florida, and for health justice. Florida consistently leads the nation in marketplace coverage enrollment. Enrollment numbers in Florida have swelled during the COVID pandemic, with over 2.1 million enrolled thus far in 2021, underscoring the critical need for the coverage systems created by the embattled Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Last October, Florida Health Justice Project sent a letter signed by over 200 concerned organizations and individuals to FL Attorney General Ashley Moody, urging her to withdraw the state from this baseless lawsuit prior to oral argument before the Supreme Court. Despite that effort, Florida remained a Plaintiff in the case, prepared to sacrifice the health of millions of Floridians in ongoing partisan resistance to implementation of the ACA.

“We breathe a huge sigh of relief today, knowing that millions of Floridians will not be losing their healthcare coverage” said Florida Health Justice Project’s Executive Director Alison Yager, “While our Attorney General may disagree, the Court’s decision today is an essential win for our state’s residents.”

Now, Congress must build on the ACA’s success. Florida is one of just 12 states that has refused to expand Medicaid under the ACA. “If Florida’s legislature is unable to do the job of ensuring our residents have access to healthcare, we look to our representatives in Washington to do so,” said Yager. “It’s time to close the coverage gap once and for all.”

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Read the stories of individuals caught in the health coverage gap.

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