“Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law six years ago, the progress we’ve seen in health care in this country is undeniable. Twenty million Americans who were previously uninsured now have quality coverage they can afford. Health care costs are growing at the slowest rate in more than 50 years. Millions of young adults have been able to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. And nearly 130 million Americans no longer have to worry about being denied coverage or charged higher premiums because of pre-existing conditions.
“Yet despite these gains, Republicans continue to try to cook up ways to destroy the law - there have been 63 votes in the House to repeal or undermine the law. That is a dangerous prospect on its own. But when it is paired with the fact that Republicans have no viable, comprehensive alternative with which to replace the ACA - that’s a recipe doomed to fail.
“Take, for instance, the Republican proposal to eliminate or limit the tax exclusion that employers receive when they offer health insurance to employees as part of a compensation package. This would disrupt the employer-based health insurance system that 155 million working Americans and their families rely on for coverage, and likely result in many employers no longer offering health coverage to employees. And it would leave many, including employees who are older or in poor health, without the ability to find affordable coverage.
“Republicans have also proposed expanding the use of Health Savings Accounts, which are associated with health plans that have high deductibles and most often used by wealthier households. HSAs are not an adequate replacement for comprehensive health care coverage, as they can actually lead low-and middle-income Americans to put off medical care because they simply cannot afford to pay high deductibles or copays.
“Repealing the ACA as Republicans want to do would have devastating effects for the millions of Americans who use the tax credits that the law offers. The Advanced Premium Tax Credit and Premium Tax Credit are integral in making health insurance plans in the marketplace affordablefor Americans. Unlike a once a year tax credit, we chose real-time tax credits to help hard-working American families afford coverage throughout the year.
“Earlier this year, I met a woman who came down with breast cancer. She lost her job and health coverage. Because of the ACA, she was able to become covered again with health insurance. Her breast cancer reoccurred and she made clear to us that this new health coverage saved her life. Stories like these remind me of just how vital this law is.
“Now is the time to keep building on this success, not start over and risk losing all that we have achieved for millions of Americans."
