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N.H. Congressional Delegation Warns Against Repeal of Affordable Care Act

Sarah Gibson for NHPR

New Hampshire’s congressional delegation is speaking out against a federal lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act. 

The case, Texas v. U.S., will be heard in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday. It is brought by 18 states that say the individual mandate requiring people to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional. 

A ruling in their favor could overturn the Affordable Care Act entirely, a goal of many Republicans in Congress and the Trump administration.

At Amoskeag Health Center in Manchester on Monday, Senator Maggie Hassan said that would be a disaster.

“It would raise healthcare costs, rip away critical protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and leave millions of Americans uninsured,” she said.

A repeal would also do away with Medicaid expansion, which provides coverage to 50,000 residents of New Hampshire, including many with substance use disorder. 

“Finally we're getting the care that we need; finally we're turning lives around. All of that would be lost,” warned Congresswoman Annie Kuster.

New Hampshire is one of eight states not involved in the case; most have joined it either in support of or against the Affordable Care Act.

Sarah Gibson joined NHPR's newsroom in 2018. She reports on education and demographics.
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