Pallone and Wyden Hail Court Victory Against Republican Effort to Take Health Care Away from Americans

House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) released the following statement today applauding a court ruling that the Trump Administration violated the law by limiting access to Medicaid for people with serious health conditions:

“This court decision is a victory in the ongoing battle to protect Americans' health care. This especially cruel provision would have imposed onerous paperwork burdens on people with serious health conditions in the midst of treatment to keep their coverage. The last thing someone going to cancer treatment needs is more paperwork to prove they’re sick to keep their coverage. It was a heartless and illegal provision that went beyond the scope of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, and we’re relieved the court struck it down. 

“This decision also underscores the chaos CMS has created for states preparing to implement these sweeping new requirements. After months of moving the goalposts, imposing unnecessary red tape, and forcing states to revise critical implementation decisions, CMS still expects states to meet the same unreasonable January 1 deadline as though nothing has changed. The agency cannot manufacture uncertainty and then punish states and families for the consequences of the Trump Administration’s actions.

“Today’s ruling is a victory, but it’s not a solution to a policy that is designed to fail people. We remain committed to full repeal of these disastrous red tape requirements.

“Trump and his Republican allies in Congress will continue to do everything they can to take health care away from people, make it harder to enroll, and more expensive for those who manage to stay covered. Democrats will keep fighting back against this cruel Administration and do everything we can to protect people’s health care.” 

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