SACRAMENTO – In response to a ruling Friday by U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor in Texas v. United States of America that found the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said he expects the ruling to be challenged and that enrollments are under way.

“Open enrollment is full-steam ahead in California and continues in other states for several more weeks,” said Lee. “No one in America should let this Texas District Court ruling discourage them from enrolling in health coverage or be worried about using the health coverage they have. This case will wind its way through the courts and I’m confident the Supreme Court will once again do the right thing and uphold the Affordable Care Act.”

Covered California’s open enrollment period continues through Jan. 15, 2019. Consumers who want their coverage to begin on Jan. 1 will need to sign up by Saturday, Dec. 15.

On Friday California Attorney General Xavier Becerra denounced the ruling.

“Today’s ruling is an assault on 133 million Americans with preexisting conditions, on the 20 million Americans who rely on the ACA for health care, and on America’s faithful progress toward affordable healthcare for all Americans,” said Becerra. “The ACA has already survived more than 70 unsuccessful repeal attempts and withstood scrutiny in the Supreme Court. Today’s misguided ruling will not deter us: our coalition will continue to fight in court for the health and wellbeing of all Americans.”