FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2018
Reform Jewish Movement Condemns Decision Striking Down the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON – In response to Texas District Court Judge Reed O’Connor’s decision striking down the Affordable Care Act, Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, issued the following statement on behalf of the Union for Reform Judaism, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, and the wider Reform Movement institutions:
“By all accounts, Judge O’Connor’s decision has no sound basis in law, yet threatens access to quality, affordable health insurance for millions of Americans and puts the U.S. health care system in peril. For eight years, the Affordable Care Act has protected people with pre-existing conditions, offered insurance through competitive exchanges, and provided Medicaid for low-income Americans who went without insurance for too long. This latest legal challenge is yet another attempt by ACA opponents to sow confusion and undermine a law the Supreme Court has already upheld.
“It is imperative that all Americans understand that the ACA and their coverage remains in place as this case is appealed. Our Jewish values teach us to act as partners with God to heal those in need. The ACA has proven to be an essential tool in that effort and we will continue to advocate for it and other policies that allow all people to access their right to health care.”
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The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism is the Washington office of the Union for Reform Judaism, whose more than 900 congregations across North America encompass 1.5 million Reform Jews, and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, whose membership includes more than 2,000 Reform rabbis. Visit www.rac.org for more.