Rep. Allred Attends Signing of President Biden's Executive Order to Strengthen Affordable Care Act, Expand Affordable Coverage

WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, issued the following news release:

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) joined President Joe Biden, and former President Barack Obama at the White House as President Biden signed an executive order to strengthen the Affordable Care Act by fixing the "family glitch" to expand affordable coverage to nearly 1 million Americans and save families hundreds of dollars a month. The administration's proposed rule would also help 200,000 uninsured Americans gain coverage.

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"The Affordable Care Act and its invaluable protections have been a lifeline for so many North Texans, including my mom, who have pre-existing conditions, or who were paying exorbitant prices for health coverage" said Allred. "I was honored to join President Biden as he signed this Executive Order to lower costs and expand coverage. As I've done since my first day in Congress, I'll continue to defend the ACA and keep working to lower costs for health care and prescription drugs."

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, which Allred helped pass, ACA premiums are at an all-time low and enrollment is at an all-time high. Right now, four out of five Americans can find quality coverage for under $10 a month.

Background on President Biden's executive order:

* Under the ACA, people who do not have access to affordable health insurance through their jobs may qualify for a premium tax credit to purchase affordable, high-quality coverage on the ACA marketplace.

* Current regulations define employer-based health insurance as affordable if the coverage solely for the employee, and not family members, is affordable based on income. This makes family members ineligible for a premium tax credit even though they need it to afford high-quality coverage through the Marketplace.

* The Administration's proposed rule will strengthen the ACA by fixing the so-called family glitch which would expand affordable health coverage to nearly 1 million Americans, save hundreds of thousands of families hundreds of dollars a month and allow 200,000 uninsured people to gain coverage.

* The President also signed a new Executive Order directing federal agencies to continue doing everything in their power to expand affordable, quality health coverage, including:

- Making it easier for people to enroll in and keep their coverage.

- Helping folks better understand their coverage options.

- Strengthening and improving the generosity of benefits and access to health care providers.

- Improving the comprehensiveness of coverage and protecting Americans from low-quality coverage.

- Connecting people to health care services by improving access to health care providers and linkages between the health care system and communities.

- Taking steps to help reduce the burden of medical debt.