The Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) condemns the executive order issued by President Trump today attacking critical protections for people with disabilities in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The executive order would make it easier for insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions, and could allow insurers to sell junk coverage that doesn’t cover critical services and won’t protect people from soaring health care costs. The American people have clearly and repeatedly rejected this kind of proposal. As ASAN has stated in the past, any future attempts at health care reform must meet the needs of all Americans, leave the Medicaid program intact, and proactively include the disability community from the beginning of the process. ASAN calls on the Trump administration to listen to the voices of everyday Americans, stop attempting to sabotage the ACA, and support a bipartisan process in Congress. Our government must work to develop thoughtful and carefully considered proposals that make healthcare better for everyone and increase access to quality, affordable coverage rather than endangering the lives of people with disabilities.
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run by and for autistic people. ASAN was created to serve as a national grassroots disability rights organization for the autistic community run by and for autistic Americans, advocating for systems change and ensuring that the voices of autistic people are heard in policy debates and the halls of power. Our staff work to educate communities, support self-advocacy in all its forms, and improve public perceptions of autism. ASAN’s members and supporters include autistic adults and youth, cross-disability advocates, and non-autistic family members, professionals, educators, and friends.