As President of Cornell’s College Democrats chapter, our organization’s mission is to civically engage our peers on campus and spotlight policy issues that may impact our student bodies. We’ve campaigned for local candidates, registered young voters and advocated for critical reforms on campus.  

For college students, prioritizing physical and mental health is perhaps not always at the top of our minds as we balance exams, extracurriculars and a social life, but the importance of having secure access to health resources cannot be understated. 

Consequently, I am deeply concerned by former President Donald Trump’s pledge to terminate the Affordable Care Act (ACA) if re-elected President in 2024. Doing so would have disastrous effects for the over 50,000 young New Yorkers insured by the ACA.  

According to a recent report released by healthcare policy group Protect Our Care and Young Invincibles, the ACA provides distinct protections for young Americans that would not be guaranteed otherwise. College Dems recently held an event with NY-19 Congressional candidate Josh Riley to discuss these findings and the importance of protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act. Prior to the ACA becoming law in 2010, one in three adults aged 19 to 25 were uninsured, and there were significant racial and ethnic disparities among uninsured young adults. 

Healthcare coverage for college-aged Americans has dramatically improved thanks to the ACA – providing crucial access to a variety of services, including coverage for emergency room visits, contraceptives, STI and cancer screenings and counseling for mental health and substance abuse. Just last year, a record-breaking 4 million young adults enrolled in the ACA marketplace. Not only does the ACA guarantee that Americans under 26 can stay on their parent’s insurance plans but also protects over 50% of young Americans who live with pre-existing conditions. 

Affordable and accessible health insurance is now more important than ever for our generation. The National Education Association recently surveyed over 90,000 college students across the country about their mental health. The findings were harrowing: 44% of respondents reported symptoms of depression, 37% said they experienced anxiety and 15% shared that they suffered from suicidal ideation. 

Mental health concerns are a prevailing and ongoing point of concern on Cornell’s campus. As essential as it is to amplify mental health and hold space for these tough conversations, it is also necessary to protect access to crucial prescriptions and counseling services – something the ACA works to cover and defend. 

It is imperative that we actively work to defend the ACA, especially as Donald Trump, who is now the official Republican Presidential nominee, doubles down on his pledge to repeal the ACA – despite enrollment reaching historic levels.  

I am thankful for New York State Senator Lea Webb’s (D) advocacy on this issue. The Senator, who represents both Ithaca and Binghamton as part of New York’s 52nd District, recently rallied in support of the ACA and voiced her support for protecting its services in City & State. 

But we need this same leadership on a federal level. I’m calling on Binghamton and Ithaca’s Congressional Representative Marc Molinaro (R) to stand up for the ACA and refuse to be complicit in supporting this dangerous and extreme proposal, which would rip healthcare away from New Yorkers who need it most.  

It’s now more important than ever for our college communities to recognize the significance of the ACA and the numerous ways it protects issues and services for our generation. Our voices are our greatest tools we have to show lawmakers that young voters view healthcare access is a key priority. The ACA is under threat, and we must hold our lawmakers accountable. 

Nick Weising is the President of Cornell University’s College Democrats chapter.