Post by bot on Mar 27, 2016 15:52:45 GMT -5
Hoyer Statement on the Sixth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the sixth anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act:
“As we mark the sixth anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, Democrats will continue to defend the law against efforts to repeal or undermine its patient protections and cost savings provisions. I was proud to play a role in bringing the Affordable Care Act to the Floor as Majority Leader in 2010. Before President Obama signed that law, insurance companies could deny Americans’ coverage on the basis of a pre-existing condition, drop one’s coverage as a result of becoming sick, and charge women higher premiums than men for the same coverage. Millions without employer-provided coverage were unable to access or afford insurance. Furthermore, health care costs in our country were skyrocketing, threatening to balloon our debt and make health care unaffordable for millions of people.
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 20 million previously uninsured Americans now have quality, affordable coverage. Insurers can no longer turn consumers away because of a pre-existing condition or drop their coverage when they get sick. Women no longer face discrimination leading to higher premiums. The rate of growth for health care costs in our country has slowed, and consumers are saving hundreds of dollars a month on their premiums thanks to tax credits and more affordable plan options through the marketplaces. A range of preventive services are now available to Medicare beneficiaries at no cost, and young people under age twenty-six can remain covered under their parents’ plans. At the same time, the Affordable Care Act is bringing down our deficit over the long-term, leading not only to healthier Americans but to a healthier and more sustainable fiscal outlook for our country.
“In spite of all these benefits, Congressional Republicans continue to waste time and taxpayers’ money trying to turn the clock back on patient protections. They recently held the sixty-third vote to repeal or undermine the law, which would put insurance companies back in control of patients’ care, increase our debt, and cause millions to lose their insurance coverage overnight. Democrats will keep fighting to defend the Affordable Care Act, and we will continue working to ensure that every American can access affordable, quality health care.”