Tag Archive for: ACA

Despite Efforts From NDGOP, Affordable Care Act Upheld By Supreme Court

Bismarck, ND –  Yesterday the Supreme Court ended years of efforts to destroy North Dakotans, and Americans overall, healthcare as we know it. Despite efforts from NDGOP leaders including Senator John Hoeven and Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, the Supreme Court saw beyond their dedication to ripping away healthcare from those who need it most and secured the Affordable Care Act for the future.

Chairman Hart commented on the ruling

“What yesterday’s ruling showed is that despite the unwavering commitment from the NDGOP to taking away your healthcare, your neighbor’s healthcare, and weakening our communities through worse coverage at higher costs, they have failed. What the Affordable Care Act does is give our neighbors access to quality healthcare that won’t cost them an arm and a leg. North Dakotans look out and care for one another and we are grateful to the Supreme Court for protecting the ACA.”

Former Congressman Earl Pomero released a statement yesterday after the 7-2 ruling

“Today the Supreme Court once again rejected an effort to take health insurance coverage away from thousands of Dakotans and tens of millions of Americans. This defeat of the challenge to the Affordable Care Act means the protections so many now have against crushing health costs are secure. The Court overwhelmingly rejected the lawsuit by 20 states to strike down this law.” 

Pomeroy continued

“I strongly disagree with Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem putting North Dakota in on this effort which the Supreme Court rejected. He may have lost another lawsuit, but the people of North Dakota  won a great victory. Their Affordable Care Act coverage will not be taken away.” 

Dem-NPL: Fighting to Protect North Dakotans with Pre-existing Conditions

November 26, 2019

A recent article on the work of the interim Healthcare Committee failed to mention that guaranteed protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions were offered by Democratic-NPL legislators (section 14 of SB 2010) back in April 2019. Unfortunately, this effort was defeated by the Republican supermajority during the 2019 legislative session. They had the opportunity to take action and once again showed their true colors – that they put politics ahead of people’s health care.
When the version of SB 2010 that included the amendment to guarantee protections for pre-existing conditions passed the House (no thanks to the 33 GOP legislators who voted against this amendment), Insurance Commissioner Jon Godfread and the Republican supermajority later removed the amendment (section 14) from the bill. It should be noted that efforts to protect North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions were led by Democratic-NPL lawmakers, while the ACA lawsuit that would strip away these protections earned the full-throated support of Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, Insurance Commissioner Godfread, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong.

“If the State is able to remove coverage for pre-existing conditions from the ACA, which will happen if the lawsuit is successful, a great number of people will find that they will lose coverage or be asked to pay premiums that they can’t afford,” said Rep. Rick Holman (D-Mayville). “Our job should be to help people not hurt them.”

It also deserves mention that three of the members on the current interim Health Care Committee voted against protecting pre-existing conditions during the 2019 legislative session: Clayton Fegley (R-Berthold), Jim Kasper (R-Fargo), and Lisa Meier (R-Bismarck). Additionally, Rep. Robin Weisz (R-Hurdsfield) and Rep. Bob Paulson (R-Minot), who were absent during this vote, later voted against the final version of SB 2010.

“Instead of supporting North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions and protecting the very constituents who elected them, Godfread and Republican legislators once again played political games,” said Dem-NPL Chairwoman Kylie Oversen. “What if the Stenehjem and Godfread supported lawsuit against the ACA succeeds prior to the 2021 legislative session? North Dakotans well-being is at risk. This is yet another example of the ND Republicans refusing to do the right thing for tens of thousands of North Dakotans. If you don’t believe me, listen to the words of Rep. Dan Ruby (R-Minot), who specifically carried forward the long-standing Republican position of denying guaranteed coverage and protections for North Dakotans with pre-existing conditions, simply because they ‘didn’t like’ it.”

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