President Trump’s executive orders to kill the Affordable Care Act – and make no mistake, this action is intended to do exactly that – are a new low, even for a White House that has defended white supremacists, condoned sexual harassment, and lied to the public.
The Affordable Care Act was not only passed by Congress, but also upheld by the Supreme Court. It has the approval of more than half of Americans – more than the president himself can boast. It has provided 20 million people – and counting – with access to more affordable, more comprehensive, quality health care services, including women and children, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and communities of color.
To end the Affordable Care Act in this way is a desperate maneuver to engineer a political win for his right-wing base, after nearly a year of covert, detrimental action. I am urging all of our members to call their senators and representatives in Washington and urge them to defend the Affordable Care Act.
And if they have not enrolled in a health care plan, the next Open Enrollment period starts on November 1. By enrolling for a quality, affordable health care plan, we can not only lift up the Affordable Care Act, but also make our voices heard.
Derrick Johnson, interim president
NAACP
