Post by bot on Mar 27, 2016 15:51:06 GMT -5
Hoyer Remarks on the Sixth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) spoke at a press conference today on the steps of the Capitol with Democratic Members of Congress to mark the sixth anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
“Thank you very much Mr. Chairman. As the Chairman said, we have 20 million folks who have insurance now who didn’t. But in addition to expanding coverage to 20 million previously uninsured Americans and putting in place new consumer protections, the Affordable Care Act is getting health care costs under control.
“Seven in ten Marketplace consumers can find a plan for $75 or less per month in 2016. In 2016, 85% of consumers selecting plans on the Marketplace qualified for tax credits that reduce the cost of coverage by an average of $290 per month. That’s real money for real families. Anti-fraud provisions in Medicare and other programs have recovered $27.8 billion for taxpayers.
“The Affordable Care Act is also improving the quality of care. 87,000 lives have been saved as a result of a 17% reduction in hospital-acquired conditions, such as infections, since the law was enacted. Also saving another nearly $20 billion.
“Americans are happy with their care. Let me repeat that. Americans are happy with their care. According to a survey last year, 86% of consumers of the Marketplace plans or those covered under expanded Medicaid expressed satisfaction with their coverage, including – I want some of the folks behind me in the Capitol to hear this – 87% of Republicans said they were satisfied.
“The Affordable Care Act is working and Democrats are going to keep defending it against Republican efforts to repeal or undermine its cost-savings and patient protections without any alternative. Hear me, no alternative has been offered by the Republicans to this very positive Affordable Care Act, which is helping so many Americans. Now, I’m pleased to introduce one of those Americans and turn it over to Stephanie Burton from Gladstone, Missouri to share her story of the success of the ACA.”