Rep. Johnson Trumpets 12 Years of Lower Health Costs Under the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Rep. Henry C. 'Hank' Johnson Jr., D-Georgia, issued the following news release:

Twelve years since President Obama and the Democratic Congress enacted the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Hank Johnson highlighted how this life-saving legislation has expanded access to quality, affordable health insurance in Georgia and across the country.

"The Affordable Care Act represented a generational step forward in the fight to secure quality, affordable health care for all," said Rep. Johnson. "Twelve years later, this historic law continues to safeguard the lives, health and financial security of working families. Thanks to its landmark coverage protections, thousands of Georgians with pre-existing conditions are shielded from insurance discrimination. And amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Affordable Care Act has proven more essential than ever, ensuring that Georgians can access care when it matters most. With the American Rescue Plan, I proudly voted to build on that success, further lowering costs and expanding coverage to more Georgia families."

Twelve years after it was signed into law, the Affordable Care Act continues to strengthen Georgians' access to quality health care. It banned insurance companies from discriminating against individuals with pre-existing conditions, protecting Georgians from being denied coverage over circumstances out of their control. Additionally, even more Georgians could gain quality coverage through the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion but Georgia Republicans continue to block this urgently-needed lifeline.

Democrats' American Rescue Plan built on the Affordable Care Act and further lowered health care costs for Georgia families.

Despite this historic progress, Republicans are still openly threatening to repeal the Affordable Care Act if they win majorities in Congress. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would end health coverage for thousands of Georgians, terminate protections for pre-existing conditions and spike costs for working families.

"House Democrats are committed to defending working families' health care," continued Rep. Johnson. "I have fought back against Republicans' cruel attempts to rip away coverage from hard-working Georgians and families. "And as the Democratic Congress advances our bold agenda For The People, I will continue working to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, slash the prices of prescription drugs and bring down health costs for all Georgians."