Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson on the Sixth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Statement

"Today the Affordable Care Act turns six. Just like food, shelter and a living wage, affordable health care is a necessary lifeline. Thanks to the ACA, 20 million previously uninsured people now have access to affordable health insurance plans. In addition to enabling hardworking Americans to access much-needed preventative services, this historic legislation also lessens the likelihood that they will lose all that they've worked so hard for if they or a family member fall ill.

"People of color are more likely to earn low wages and lack health coverage, so the ACA is particularly helpful to the constituents in my ethnically diverse district. During the most recent enrollment period, Florida led the nation in the number of people who automatically enrolled or signed up for a health care plan and 82 percent of those who signed up through the marketplace, had the option of a plan with a monthly cost of $100 or less after tax credits.

"Unfortunately, Florida also is one of 19 states that failed to expand Medicaid under the ACA, leaving in the lurch thousands of low-income adults who earn too much to be eligible for Medicaid, but too little to qualify for premium tax credits. Uninsured black adults are twice as likely to fall into this coverage gap.

"This is a day to celebrate, but also one on which all lawmakers should pledge to keep fighting for the Affordable Care Act until every eligible person in this great nation has health insurance."

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