To mark the 10th anniversary of President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act into law, Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes, Arizona Democratic Party Chair Felecia Rotellini, and North Carolina health care advocate Stacy Staggs held a press conference call to discuss the contrast between Republicans and Democrats on the critical issue of health care — and how Trump’s broken health care promises are spiking costs and jeopardizing coverage protections for those with preexisting conditions in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can read more about Trump’s record of broken health care promises here from the DNC War Room.

DNC Chair Tom Perez: “We’re here because ten years ago today, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act, which made health care more affordable and accessible for millions of Americans. This was the most important addition to our social compact since Medicare and Medicaid. And as our country faces the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue of health care — and quite frankly, the differences between Democrats and Republicans on that issue — could not be more clear.”

“Here’s what Donald Trump has done: He’s broken the health care promises he’s made; he’s tried to cut coverage for people with preexisting conditions at every turn; he’s done everything in his power to destroy the Affordable Care Act — with no plan or strategy to replace it … In fact, the Trump administration is still in court right now trying to overturn the Affordable Care Act.

“I’ve said it before this crisis erupted, and I’ll say it again — health care is going to be a defining issue of this election. And the chronic incompetence of this president on health care and so many issues.  The trail of this president’s broken promises on health care and other issues runs deep and the American people will remember that.”

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes: “With some of their first actions in office, this administration attempted to gut protections for pre-existing conditions and strip health care coverage from millions. While they failed at their first attempt, they’ve launched attack after attack on the law, working to sabotage it at every turn in the years since.

“And right now, as brave leaders like Governor Whitmer manage our country’s response to a global pandemic that has killed thousands, and threatens so many more, Donald Trump is suing in the Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act. If successful, he would strip health care from 720,000 Michiganders who rely on the law for coverage. This is a devastating broken promise from a failed president who came to Michigan and told voters he would expand affordable health care and replace the ACA with something that’s, ‘going to be terrific and a lot less expensive and much better coverage.’ Instead of following through, he’s launched a war on our health insurance.”

Arizona Democratic Party Chair Felecia Rotellini:

“If Donald Trump and Republicans succeed in the courts, insurance companies will again have the power to refuse coverage because of an applicant’s preexisting condition — a return to the time before the ACA when as much as 2.8 million Arizonans with preexisting conditions could have been denied coverage.

“If the courts overturn the Affordable Care Act, hundreds of thousands of Arizonans could be unable to afford their health insurance or be kicked out of our state access program.

“If we go back to the way things were before the Affordable Care Act, 1 in 6 Arizonans would be uninsured. That would be devastating. And that is exactly what the GOP’s health care agenda would do.”

Little Lobbyists North Carolina Chapter Director Stacy Staggs:

“The Affordable Care Act tells insurance companies  they cannot drop us off of coverage. Emma and Sara will never become uninsurable because they’ve reached some dollar amount that somehow equates to the value of a life. Emma’s breathing tube and Sara’s heart surgery cannot be used to deny coverage, or even charge them more in premiums.

“The Affordable Care Act keeps my children insured and our family afloat. I know that we’re not the only ones who are dealing with the uncertainty of this lawsuit. As many as 500,000 North Carolinians would lose their health coverage, and there are 4 million North Carolinians with preexisting conditions would lose those protections if the GOP lawsuit is successful.”