On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Wednesday, Senator John Burton (Ret.), Chairman of the California Democratic Party, released the following statement in recognition of this significant anniversary.
Two years ago this week, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law by President Obama. This law is almost a hundred years in the making and millions of Californians are undeniably benefiting from it every single day.
Since the law passed:
- An estimated 12.1 million Californians no longer have to worry about lifetime caps on their care that would have cut off medical coverage when they needed it most.
- 6.1 million Californians have seen their insurance coverage expanded to provide access to preventative services like mammograms, colon cancer screenings and contraception, with no out-of-pocket expenses.
- 2.9 million California seniors got a free preventative service from Medicare last year.
- 2.2 million children here in California can no longer be denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions like asthma, diabetes and cancer, among others.
- 360,000 young adults in California gained health insurance through their parents’ plans.
- 6,000 Californians under 65 gained the coverage they needed through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan created by health reform.
Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, 19.8 million Californians with private insurance are protected by reforms that help keep premiums low. Insurance companies now have to justify rate increases of 10% or more, and must spend at least 80% of premiums on health care and quality improvement.
Republicans advocating for the Affordable Care Act’s repeal will face consequences at the ballot box.
Also on Wednesday, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez issued this video recognition of the occasion.