NowThis Video Features President Obama Thanking Health Care Storytellers For Their Advocacy On The 12th Anniversary Of The Law, Looks to Future of Lowering Health Costs
Washington, DC — Today, Protect Our Care and NowThis are releasing a new video featuring former President Barack Obama to celebrate the growing success of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on its 12 year anniversary. During a FaceTime call, President Obama surprised health care storytellers Amy Raslevich, a breast cancer survivor and mother of two children with pre-existing conditions, Steve Gomez, the father of a son with pre-existing conditions, and DonnaMarie Woodson, a cancer survivor — all of whom rely on the ACA’s patient protections. In the video, DonnaMarie, Amy, and Steve described what affordable coverage means for their families and the importance of continuing to protect and build on the ACA so every American has access to quality health care.
The anniversary comes as ACA enrollment is at an all-time high of 14.5 million Americans and premium costs are lower than ever before. Now, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are continuing their work to strengthen the ACA by fighting to lower drug prices, reduce premiums, and expand coverage to even more families.
“Thanks to the ACA, 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions are protected from discrimination and millions of working families across the country have affordable, quality health coverage. This legislation has improved financial security for families and saved lives,” said Leslie Dach, Chair of Protect Our Care. “When President Obama signed the ACA into law in 2010, there was no way of predicting the severity of the Republican assault on health care that was to come. The Trump-Republican efforts to repeal and sabotage the ACA and raise health care costs were relentless, but the American people came out victorious.
“Not only does today mark the anniversary of transformative legislation that expanded access to affordable health care, but it is an opportunity to celebrate the tireless work of the patient advocates that successfully fought these Republican efforts to destroy the ACA. Thanks to the tireless work from President Obama, Democrats in Congress, patient advocates and, now, President Biden, the ACA is here to stay and stronger than ever before.”
12 Years Later: The ACA Is Stronger Than Ever
Twelve years ago, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became the law of the land and millions of Americans gained coverage and critical protections as a result. Thanks to the ACA, more than 30 million Americans have health coverage through the Marketplace and Medicaid expansion. Last year, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan (ARP) into law, which builds on the strong foundation of the ACA by lowering premiums for middle and working class families, expanding coverage for millions who were previously uninsured, and increasing access to essential health services, like maternity care.
After years of Republican efforts to repeal and sabotage the ACA, President Biden and Democrats in Congress have made historic investments to secure the future of American health care. Thanks to their vision and determination, 2022 saw 5.8 million Americans newly insured by an ACA plan and an additional 83 million Americans receiving their coverage through Medicaid or CHIP. Americans can now sleep easier at night knowing the ACA is here to stay and President Biden is hard at work to expand coverage, lower costs, and reduce racial disparities in health care.