Barbara Lee Celebrates Two-Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act as Supreme Court Takes up the Case
Contact: Kristal DeKleer (202) 225-1882 or (202) 957-2176
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) issued the following statement today as the Supreme Court begins its historic review of the Affordable Care Act:
“Today, the Supreme Court will begin its historic review of the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, a law passed to improve access to health care, extend insurance to nearly 32 million people, lower health care costs. I continue to support this critical legislation and will fight to protect and eventually expand it so that high quality affordable health care for all is a reality in this country.
“Since its passage, the ACA has provided 2.5 million more young adults with health care coverage; saved 5.1 million seniors an average of $635 on their prescription drugs and made available tax credits to 360,000 small business employers that have used the credit to insure 2 million workers. The ACA also provides millions of women access to affordable health care coverage, enabling millions to receive no-cost mammograms, contraception, and health check-ups.
“In the 9th district of California, 7,200 young adults now have health insurance and 4,400 seniors received prescription drug discounts worth $2.2 million. Additionally, some 500 small businesses have received tax credits to help maintain or expand health care coverage for employees.
“Our nation cannot afford to turn back. I believe that access to affordable, quality health care is a fundamental human right. Any portion of real will only increase premiums and overall health costs at unsustainable levels and damage our economy.”
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