OLYMPIA – Rep. Marko Liias and 16 other Washington state legislators have joined forces in signing an amicus brief defending the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. Boasting 518 signatures representing every state, as well as Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, the brief was filed at the Supreme Court by The Constitutional Accountability Center on January 12.
“All Washingtonians deserve the basic security of good-quality health care,” said Liias, D-Edmonds. “The Affordable Care Act is the kind of health care reform we need to ensure all families have the opportunities and quality of life we deserve.”
The brief contends the lower court and state officials challenging the Affordable Care Act have inaccurately put forth a vision of that “…has no basis in the Constitution’s text and history.”
“Even though Rob McKenna, our state’s Attorney General, is fighting to defeat important protections for Washingtonians, I am proud to stand up against this flawed view of our Constitution,” Liias said. “In the 21stcentury, ensuring affordable health for all Americans is clearly an issue of national importance.”
Under the Affordable Care Act, Washington state residents will see immediate benefits:
– Coverage expansions provide support for health coverage for early retirees.
– Small business owners will be eligible for a small business tax credit when providing insurance plans for employees.
– Washington seniors will receive assistance closing the Medicare Part D “donut hole,” as well as access to free preventative care.
“As a nation, we simply cannot afford to fall back on this progress. We must move forward in providing affordable health care to all of Washington,” Liias said.
For more information:
Link to brief: https://theusconstitution.org/blog.history/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/State-Legislators-Brief-CAC-Aff-Care-Act.pdf
Link to Washington state legislators signed on to brief: https://www.sdc.wa.gov/senators/keiser/list_of_legislators.pdf