Baca Statement on the One Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Statement

Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) released the following statement today, on the one year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act:

"One year ago, in a moment of historic progress for the American people, President Barack Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. The much-needed reforms included in this legislation extend health care coverage to 32 million more Americans, lower health care costs, create jobs, strengthen the middle class and reduce the deficit. Thanks to the Affordable Care act, we are on our way to making quality, affordable health care a right, and not a privilege, for every American.

"Americans are already benefitting from this law, with a strong Patients' Bill of Rights that puts an end to the worst insurance company abuses. Young people can now stay on their parents' plan until they are 26 years old. No longer can insurers place a lifetime cap on health coverage or deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions. Seniors who fall in the Medicare Prescription Drug Donut Hole are getting help paying for medications, and more small businesses are receiving tax credits to provide coverage to their employees.

"The benefits of health care reform will continue to grow for the American people. By 2014, insurers will no longer be able to discriminate against any of the 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, and there will be state-based competitive marketplaces where millions of Americans without access to job-based health coverage will have access to affordable, quality coverage.

"One year later, we have given American families new patient protections and greater freedoms. But if Republicans had their way, they would repeal the law and take away this progress. We must not roll back the clock. I will continue to fight in Congress to preserve the benefits of this reform as we work to move our nation forward. "

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