CONGRESSWOMAN JOHNSON REFLECTS ON THE SUCCESS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ON IT’S 11th ANNIVERSARY
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30) marked the 11th anniversary of the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) by highlighting transformative health care savings for Americans across the country thanks to the Biden American Rescue Plan. The plan builds on the ACA’s critical benefits by lowering the cost of coverage and expanding eligibility for federal subsidies to millions of Americans.
“11 years ago, I was a first-hand witness to President Obama signing into law one of the most influential pieces of legislation of our generation, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “As a result of its enactment, the ACA made quality and affordable health care available to millions of Americans across the country. And now, in the midst of an unprecedented and deadly pandemic, the protection of the ACA and its benefits is more critical – and consequential – than ever before.
“As we celebrate the ACA’s 11th anniversary, let us not only reflect on its historic success but also reaffirm our commitment to making health care accessible for everyone who needs it.”
Under the American Rescue Plan’s affordability enhancements for the Affordable Care Act, Americans no longer have to pay more than 8.5 percent of household income on a benchmark silver plan in the Marketplace plan per year. For Texas, the Biden American Rescue Plan will:
- Create significant savings for many Texans in the marketplaces. For example, a 60-year-old Texas couple earning $75,000 per year, under the American Rescue plan, will see their premium payments lowered by $1,321 per month.
- Further reduce the cost of health care coverage for consumers currently receiving financial assistance, including 501,200 Texans with incomes below 150 percent of the poverty level who will now be eligible for plans with a zero dollar monthly premium.
- Make 565,200 currently uninsured Texans newly eligible for receiving subsidies to make their health coverage more affordable in the Marketplaces.
These improvements build on the landmark protections the Affordable Care Act for Americans no matter where they get health coverage, including:
- Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions;
- Health care coverage to more than 20 millions Americans;
- An end to insurance companies charging women more than men for the same coverage;
- A ban insurers placing annual and lifetime caps on coverage;
- Guaranteed essential health benefits including requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care;
- Key support for rural hospitals;
- Lower prescription drug costs for nearly 12 million seniors;
- Allows young people to stay on their parent’s health insurance until age 26.
