Congresswoman MAtsui Celebrates the 5th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) celebrated the 5th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by highlighting the progress made under the law. Since being signed into law by President Obama five years ago, this landmark health care law is improving health care affordability, quality, and coverage for millions of Americans.

"It has been five years since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, and American families are reaping the benefits. This law has opened up access to affordable, reliable health coverage, putting it in reach of all Americans. And it has improved the quality of health insurance, ending some of the worst abuses by insurance companies and providing new consumer protections and cost savings, said Congresswoman Matsui. "Thanks to the ACA 76 million Americans are benefiting from new preventive care coverage, 105 million Americans no longer live under the threat of a limit on their health care, and 130 million Americans with preexisting conditions can no longer be denied health coverage. By every metric imaginable, the ACA is making a difference in the lives of millions of Americans."

Studies indicate the Affordable Care Act is clearly working. The law is:

Improving Coverage: After five years of the ACA, more than 16 million Americans have gained health coverage. Since 2013, we have seen the largest decline in the uninsured rate in decades, and our nation's uninsured rate is now at the lowest level ever recorded.

Improving Affordability: Since the ACA was enacted, health care prices have risen at the slowest rate in nearly 50 years.

Improving Quality: The ACA has helped improve the quality of health care, contributing to 50,000 fewer patient deaths in hospitals due to avoidable harms, such as infection or error.

And the law continues to make a difference for Americans of all ages, and all walks of life, including:

Young adults: Since 2010, 5.7 million young adults have gained coverage due to the ACA's provision allowing young adults to remain on a parent's plan to age 26 and its broader expansion of coverage. By the second quarter of 2014, the uninsured rate among young adults had dropped by more than 40 percent.

Women: As many as 65 million women with pre-existing conditions -- such as pregnancy, breast cancer, or diabetes -- are no longer at risk of being denied coverage. And, an estimated 48.5 million women with private health insurance are benefiting from recommended preventive services, including well-woman visits, cancer screenings, and prenatal care.

Seniors: Since enactment of the ACA, more than 9 million seniors have saved more than $15 billion on prescription drugs, an average savings of $1,598 per senior.

"Clearly, the Affordable Care Act is having a tangible, positive impact on millions of Americans. I strongly urge anyone who is currently uninsured to review their options and sign up during open enrollment. California has recently begun a special enrollment period coinciding with the tax season that ends April 30, so Californians can currently sign up by logging on to coveredca.com," added Matsui.

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