Rep. Bustos Highlights 12 Years of the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, March 23 -- Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Illinois, issued the following news release:

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) highlighted how, after twelve years, the life-saving Affordable Care Act has expanded access to quality, affordable health insurance in Illinois and across the country.

"The Affordable Care Act represented a generational step forward in the fight to secure quality, affordable health care for every American," said Congresswoman Bustos. "Twelve years later, this historic law continues to safeguard the lives, health and financial security of hardworking families. Thanks to its landmark coverage protections, hundreds of thousands of folks in Northwest and Central Illinois with pre-existing conditions are shielded from insurance discrimination. With the American Rescue Plan, I proudly voted to build on that success, further lowering costs and expanding coverage to more Illinois families."

Twelve years after it was signed into law, the Affordable Care Act continues to strengthen Illinoisans' access to quality health care. It banned insurance companies from discriminating against individuals with pre-existing conditions, protecting 277,200 people in Northwest and Central Illinois from being denied coverage over circumstances out of their control. Additionally, 974,572 Illinoisans have gained quality, affordable coverage through the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion.

The American Rescue Plan built on the Affordable Care Act and further lowered health care costs for Illinois families. Passed last year amid the health and financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, this legislation:

* Is saving families an average of $2,400 in annual premiums; and

* Has helped enroll a record 14.5 million Americans in marketplace plans - including 323,427 Illinoisans, an 11 percent increase from last year.