Rep. Grijalva's Efforts to Expand Health Coverage Results in New Executive Action, Will Lower Health Coverage Costs for Arizona Families

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Arizona, issued the following news release:

Following President Joe Biden's executive order to bring down the cost of health insurance and expand health coverage to for Arizonans, Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (AZ-03) applauded the decision:

"President Biden has taken a significant step forward in Democrats' fight to expand health coverage and bring down costs for Arizonans," said Rep. Grijalva. "Democrats are continuing to fight to lower the costs weighing on families, and this action will significantly lower health coverage costs for nearly one million Americans who only have unaffordable coverage options at work. Thanks to Democrats' leadership, health care is more affordable and accessible than ever before. Our American Rescue Plan dramatically lowered the cost of marketplace plans and helped enroll nearly 200,000 Arizonans into quality, affordable coverage. I will continue working to lower health costs and prescription drug prices for Arizona families."

Rep. Grijalva recently joined a group of Members in urging the Biden administration to take action to expand access to health insurance and strengthen the Affordable Care Act by fixing the "family glitch". Additionally, he is the cosponsor of legislation to fix the "family-glitch" to lower the price of health insurance for certain families.

President Biden's executive action represents one of the most significant administration actions to strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA) since it was signed into law: lowering premiums for one million working people across the country and extending health insurance to 200,000 uninsured Americans. For family members of an employee offered health coverage through an employer, the cost of that family coverage can sometimes be very expensive and make health insurance out of reach. The "family glitch" affects about 5 million people and has made it impossible for many families to use the premium tax credit to purchase an affordable, high-quality Marketplace plan. Under Treasury's new proposed rule, family members who have to pay more than 10% of income for coverage will now be able to receive financial help under the ACA.

Fixing the "family glitch" builds on several steps Democrats have taken to lower health costs and build on the Affordable Care Act, including the American Rescue Plan which was signed into law last year. The American Rescue Plan 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 199,706 Arizonans, a 29 percent increase from last year.