Issue Position: Affordable Care Act

Issue Position

One of the most rewarding days of my life was March 23, 2010 -- the day when the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) was signed into law. Obamacare ends insurance industry abuses in the health system, improves Medicare and Medicaid for seniors and people with disabilities, and covers millions of uninsured Americans. More than 100 million Americans have benefitted already, including millions who have received free preventive services, young adults who now have health insurance through their parents' plan, children who are no longer denied care because of pre-existing conditions, and seniors and persons with disabilities who are paying lower prescription drug bills.

Obamacare is already working:

Americans no longer have a lifetime limit on their benefits.

Senior and persons with disabilities are now receiving a 50% discount on brand-name drugs when they are in the Medicare "donut hole' coverage gap, free key preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and a free Annual Wellness Visit.

Small businesses can receive tax credits if they choose to offer coverage for employees -- covering 35% of the cost of coverage.

For millions of Americans, an insurance company must now spend at least 80% of premiums covering medical services and publish justifications for any premium increase more than 10%.

The new law will lower premium costs for small businesses and families and, beginning in 2014, provide coverage to over 30 million Americans. It improves quality and helps to eliminate fraud and abuse. It protects and even adds Medicare benefits for seniors and people with disabilities, while expanding access to home- and community-based long-term care services. And it helps train the doctors and health care workers we need to care for a growing population.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health, I had the privilege of playing a significant part in the enactment of Obamacare. I personally had a hand in provisions to end the practice of insurance companies rescinding the coverage of policyholders just at the moment when they need it most -- when they get sick. I worked successfully to include a provision to improve long-term care quality and staffing, and one to require health insurance companies to disclose and publicly justify premium increases. I was part of a small group that worked to preserve reproductive health care services for women.

As a long-time advocate of Medicare for All, I know that the Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but it has already benefitted millions of Americans and it provides a strong foundation upon which to build.

Legislation I've Introduced

Health Insurance Rate Review Act -- The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requires that health insurers provide public justification for significant rate increases. While this is an important step, many states, including Illinois, lack the authority to deny rates that are excessive, negotiate for lower rates, or require rebates for consumers. It provides authority for the HHS Secretary to act to prevent excessive or unjustified premiums if that authority is not available at the state level.

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