AFJ Blasts Readler’s ‘Far-Fetched’ Argument to Strip Health Care from Millions

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 13 – In the past 24 hours, the Republican chair of the Senate health committee, Sen. Lamar Alexander, has called DOJ arguments against ACA preexisting condition protections “as far-fetched as any I’ve ever heard.” In addition, a veteran DOJ lawyer has resigned in protest of the department’s announcement that it will not defend the preexisting condition provisions of the healthcare law. AFJ President Nan Aron noted that Chad Readler, a Justice Department official who is President Trump’s intended nominee for a seat on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, is leading the effort to strip healthcare from millions with preexisting medical conditions:

“The outrage over the Justice Department’s callous plan to strip healthcare from 52 million Americans is growing, and people in Ohio and throughout the Sixth Circuit need to know that Chad Readler is the architect of that scheme. Readler’s plan would take care away from cancer survivors, from people with diabetes, from pregnant women.  Republicans from Sen. Alexander on up to Majority Leader McConnell have said they are against removing preexisting conditions protections for Americans who need health coverage; if they mean what they say, they need to come out right now and oppose Readler’s nomination to the federal bench.”