DNC on Three-Year Anniversary of Trump’s Broken Promise to Protect People with Preexisting Conditions

DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement on the three-year anniversary of Donald Trump’s comments on CBS Face the Nation that TrumpCare would protect people with preexisting conditions, a promise he broke immediately:

“Three years ago today, Donald Trump promised his health care agenda would protect people with preexisting conditions; it turned out to be yet another blatant lie, and another broken promise. Over the past three years, Trump has used every opportunity to go after coverage for people with preexisting conditions and strip health care from millions of Americans. These attacks are even more harmful now, as our country battles the COVID-19 pandemic. The American people need a president who will protect their care, not someone who puts corporate profits ahead of people’s well-being and who is too ineffective to follow through on their words. The cruelty and chronic incompetence of this administration knows no bounds, and so long as they remain in power, they will make it their mission to take health care away from as many Americans as possible.

“Democrats believe no one should be discriminated against because they’re sick. That’s why we passed the Affordable Care Act. And it’s why we’ve fought tirelessly to protect the ACA from Republican attacks and preserve protections for those with preexisting conditions. We believe health care is a right, not a privilege – and so do the American people. And we will continue to fight the GOP’s heartless policies at every turn.”

See more from Democrats across the country calling out Trump on this anniversary:

Arizona Democrats: “This Trump-backed lawsuit would completely overturn the entire ACA without any plan to replace it, jeopardizing pre-existing condition protections for millions of Arizonans. When Arizonans head to the polls in November, they will have a clear choice: a Democrat who will protect their health care or a Republican who will tear it away.”

Florida Democrats: “Three years ago, Donald Trump promised he would ‘guarantee’ coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, but he’s delivered nothing but hot air ever since. While Trump insists on pushing a lawsuit to undermine the Affordable Care Act even during this pandemic, Joe Biden not only helped deliver that legislation ten years ago, but has a plan to build on it to give more Americans coverage. This anniversary reminds us that we need a president we can trust with our health care — Joe Biden is that leader.”

Maine Democrats: “From day one in office, Trump has shown he doesn’t value Americans’ health care or public health. His Administration, aided by Senator Collins and Congressional Republicans, has made it their mission to sabotage the Affordable Care Act at every turn while completely dismantling it in the courts at a time when we need it the most.”

Michigan Democrats: “Time and again Donald Trump has promised to protect people with pre-existing conditions, but after years of lies, Michiganders know he’s broken that promise,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesman Christian Slater. “Even in the middle of a global pandemic, Donald Trump can’t help but continue his assault on protections for pre-existing conditions.”

Nevada Democrats: “Even in the face of a devastating pandemic, Donald Trump refuses to put the health of working families first. For three years, he has failed to follow through on his promise to protect more than 1.1 million Nevadans with a preexisting condition. Without the leadership of Democrats to ensure protections for preexisting conditions are permanent for Nevada families, our health care would be at the whim of the GOP’s reckless agenda to overturn the Affordable Care Act, spike health care costs, and jeopardize coverage. Trump’s broken promises are hurting Nevadans when we can least afford it, and come November, we’re putting it to an end.”

New Hampshire Democrats: “In the midst of a global pandemic, Trump’s broken promise to nearly 600,000 Granite Staters with pre-existing conditions is more harmful than ever. Democrats including Senators Shaheen and Hassan helped block his efforts to repeal Obamacare in Congress, but Donald Trump has continued to sabotage Granite Staters’ health care by pushing an agenda that spikes costs and jeopardizes coverage. And even as we grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, Trump is still pushing a lawsuit that would overturn the Affordable Care Act and kick tens of thousands in New Hampshire off of their health care plans. Every Republican running against Senator Shaheen, Congresswoman Kuster, and Congressman Pappas supports Trump’s lawsuit and his harmful agenda to repeal health care for thousands of Granite Staters, which is why New Hampshire voters will reject those Republican candidates along with Trump this November.”

New Mexico Democrats: “Our health and economic security have never been at greater risk, yet Donald Trump continues to break his promise to preserve coverage protections for more than 860,000 New Mexicans with a preexisting condition. Instead, he has attempted to invalidate the Affordable Care Act, spike costs, and jeopardize New Mexicans’ health coverage. Trump is leading a reckless attack on working families when we can least afford it, and he’s going to feel the consequences in November.

North Carolina Democrats: “Today’s anniversary is an important reminder that despite his hollow promises, Donald Trump will not protect health insurance for the most vulnerable among us. As our state’s Commissioner of Insurance for eight years, I’ve seen firsthand the struggles of North Carolinians who remain uninsured or underinsured. During this public health crisis, instead of reopening the federal exchanges to make it easier to purchase insurance, the Trump administration is continuing to pursue legal action to tear the ACA apart. North Carolinians deserve a president who will fight to expand access to insurance, and as we head towards November, I know Joe Biden is exactly the right man for the job.”

Virginia Democrats: “Attempting to deny coverage to the over three million Virginians with pre-existing conditions is reprehensible. Even in the middle of a global pandemic, the Trump administration continues to push an agenda to overturn the Affordable Care Act and deny affordable coverage to families across the Commonwealth. His plan tries to undo the legislation we’ve passed, and voters will not tolerate this come November.”

Wisconsin Democrats: “Wisconsinites have been living in fear since Trump took office as they worry they will lose the coverage they need to stay alive — and they’re not staying silent about it,” Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson Philip Shulman said. “All over our state people are speaking out because their lives literally hang in the balance with Donald Trump as president.”