Rep. Engel Joins Vice President Biden, House Dems to Celebrate 7th Anniversary of ACA

WASHINGTON, March 22 -- Rep. Eliot L. Engel, D-N.Y., issued the following news release:

Today, Congressman Eliot L. Engel joined former Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., House Democrats, physicians and patients to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Signed into law seven years ago, the ACA provided affordable health insurance to more than 20 million Americans. In addition, the landmark law prohibited annual or lifetime caps on care, outlawed insurer discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, required coverage for preventive health services at no extra cost, and ushered in many more protections that ensure Americans get quality care for their money.

"The numbers don't lie," Congressman Engel said. "No matter how much House Republicans try to deny it, the Affordable Care Act has made our health care system better. It hasn't just brought coverage to millions - it's fighting discrimination and saving Americans money. In New York, premiums are half of what they were pre-ACA. Seniors in the Medicare 'donut hole' have saved more than $23.5 billion on prescription drugs. Americans don't need to pay out of pocket for services like flu shots - and the list goes on.

"More than 100,000 of my constituents have health coverage thanks to this life-saving law. I was pleased to help write, and later vote for the ACA in 2010, and acknowledge the tremendous success of the legislation in bringing affordable and accessible healthcare to millions of Americans. I am committed to doing all we can to protect the law and build upon it."

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