Today, President-elect Joe Biden spoke about the Trump administration's renewed effort to shelve the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – commonly referred to as Obamacare. Biden highlighted the hard work and dedication of those healthcare workers and others who have been on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure that those in need can access quality healthcare without worrying about being dropped by an insurer. In a press conference, Biden said, “Despite efforts to derail this successful law, the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land. And we cannot allow President Trump’s misguided attack on it to succeed.” During the Obama-Biden administration, the ACA expanded coverage to over 20 million Americans and reduced the uninsured rate to a historic low. Biden warned that if the Texas lawsuit succeeds in overturning the ACA, as many as 130 million Americans will be at risk of losing their health care coverage. This includes the over 30 million using the ACA for affordable, quality coverage and tens of millions more people who have gained coverage since Obamacare was signed into law. The Trump administration’s move has been met with strong opposition from the medical community, including the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association. Even insurers, such as Cigna and UnitedHealth Group, have voiced their concerns, saying the ACA is essential to ensuring access to affordable healthcare coverage. The sweeping impact of the Texas lawsuit has been especially concerning for those with pre-existing conditions. Julian Aguilar, the CEO of the Coastal Bend Health Care System in Corpus Christi, Texas, said the repeal of the Affordable Care Act would leave millions of Texans with pre-existing conditions vulnerable. Biden has vowed to protect and strengthen the ACA, noting that defending Americans’ healthcare is one of his top priorities for his first 100 days in office. He said he will use executive orders to safeguard the law, including blocking efforts to repeal the ACA and expanding access to Medicaid in states that have not already done so. Biden also announced that he will be appointing Xavier Becerra, former California Attorney General, to head the Department of Health and Human Services. Becerra said he is committed to defending and preserving the ACA, which he views as a vital cornerstone of the nation's healthcare system. In the end, Biden emphasized that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. He said that no American should be denied lifesaving care because of their income or pre-existing conditions.