Governor-elect Janet Mills issued the following response to last night’s ruling by a federal judge in Texas on the Affordable Care Act today.

“This is a backward, poorly-reasoned decision, but it does not change the fact the Affordable Care Act still is the law of the land.  I pledge to the people of Maine that, as their governor, I will fight not only to preserve and protect their health care, but also to work with the Legislature to strengthen it.”

Congressman-elect Jared Golden (ME-2) issued the following statement regarding the Texas Court ruling on the Affordable Care Act today:

“On Election Day, the people of Maine’s Second District were clear — they want their elected representatives to protect and expand health care coverage, not weaken it.  They knew I would do that and it’s why they voted me into Congress.”

“Yesterday’s court ruling in Texas is misguided and could threaten health coverage for millions of Americans and undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions.  In Congress, I will work to protect and improve health coverage and fight any efforts to take health care away from hardworking Maine people.”

Yesterday  Judge Reed O’Connor in Fort Worth,  Texas ruled that the ACA is unconstitutional because of the mandate requiring that people buy health insurance.  Undoubtedly, it will be appealed and may go to the Supreme Court.

This afternoon President Trump said:  “It was a great ruling.”