Second Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

From Megan Slack at the White House blog, The Affordable Care Act at Two Years:

Two years ago today, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, giving hardworking, middle-class families the health care security they deserve. Health reform requires that insurance plans cover preventive services to help people stay healthy, prohibits insurance companies from dropping your coverage if you get sick, billing you into bankruptcy because of annual or lifetime limits placed on care, and discriminating against children with pre-existing conditions.

By 2014 when the law is fully implemented, people will be able to purchase private insurance coverage through new state-based markets called exchanges, which will offer a way to get insurance that isn’t provided by—or tied to—an employer. Americans will have the security of knowing they don't have to worry about losing or finding coverage if they're laid off, change jobs, or are self-employed. And further patient protections will take effect: insurers won’t be able to deny care to anyone based on a pre-existing condition, or limit the amount of care they’ll cover over a person’s lifetime. 

Over the last week, we’ve looked at many of the ways the new health care law is making a real difference in many people's lives:

• New tax credits are helping small business owners like Mark with the cost of providing health insurance for employees
• Because young adults can now stay on their parents' insurance until age 26, people like Steven, a  23-year-old, two-time cancer survivor, can continue getting the care they need, even if they are no longer in school
• Parents like Vanessa, whose son was born with birth defects, and Nathan, whose son has hemophilia, won’t have to fight to keep their kids healthy because insurance companies are now prohibited from denying coverage for children with pre-existing conditions or placing lifetime limits on care,
• Seniors like Helen are getting help with the cost of their medications, giving them peace of mind and putting more money in their pockets

Looking at the big picture also helps tell the story of how the Affordable Care Act is benefitting people around the country.

• An additional 2.5 million young adults have gained coverage since September 2010 (More on the health care law and young adults)
• Nearly 54 million Americans with private health insurance, including approximately 20.4 million women have received preventive health services such as cancer screenings and immunizations at no additional cost (learn more about the health care law and preventive services and health care law and women)
• The average senior on Medicare will save $4,200 on their health care by 2021, and more than 5.1 million people on Medicare have already saved an average of $635 each on prescription drug costs (read more on the health care law, seniors, and Medicare)
• Families and small business are saving money on health care, and families who purchase private health insurance through exchanges that begin in 2014 could save up to $2,300 on their health care each year (learn more on the health care law and cost control)

For more stories and facts about how the Affordable Care Act is helping people around the country, check out our map. You can share your own story, too: tell us how health reform is improving your care.

Press release from the Arizona Democratic Party:

Arizonans Thankful as President Obama's Health Reforms Help Millions Save Money, Live Healthier

Two years later, President Obama's Health Reforms already protecting against insurance abuse, providing free preventive care

NEWS RELEASE
Mar. 23, 2012

PHOENIX, AZ–Luis Heredia, Executive Director of the Arizona Democratic Party, released the following statement marking the second anniversary of the passage of President Obama's landmark health reforms:

"Today is the second anniversary of President Obama's landmark health reforms, which are already helping millions of Americans and Arizonans save money and live healthier lives.  Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and a Democratic Congress, numerous valuable reforms are already improving our country's health, while others will soon be implemented will continue to help fulfill the Democratic Party's promise to bring affordable and improved healthcare to all Americans.

"You can ask countless thankful Arizonans; President Obama's health reforms are already having an effect here in Arizona.  You can watch the story of how President Obama's health reforms changed the lives of one Phoenix family here.

"Already, Medicare is stronger for Arizona seniors, women can get life-saving mammograms without extra cost, and children won't lose their coverage for pre-existing conditions like asthma.  180 million Americans are now protected against the worst insurance abuses, like denying health care to the sick, excessive premium increases, lifetime caps on the amount of care a patient can receive, and soon will be protected against gender discrimination. 86 million Americans are now receiving live-saving cancer screenings like mammograms and colonoscopies, and soon women can have their contraception covered without paying a co-pay or deductible. All the while, millions of younger Americans are now insured as young people can remain on their parents' plans until the age of 26.

"That’s just the beginning. As the law continues to phase in over the coming months, new reforms will lower costs and raise the quality of care as seniors will see their Medicare coverage continue to improve, and see the doughnut hole completely close. In two years, every single Arizonan, regardless of their circumstances – whether they want to change jobs, start a business or retire early, or even if they lose their job – will have access to affordable, quality health insurance. Presidents have been trying to make that happen for 70 years. President Obama got it done."

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