Rep. Underwood Statement on the Ten Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Illinois, issued the following news release:

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) released the following statement on the ten year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act being signed into law.

"Ten years ago we took an enormous step to improve the lives of the American people and progress our country's health care system. Because of the Affordable Care Act, more than 20 million more Americans have access to quality, affordable coverage, millions of people like me with a preexisting condition don't have to live in fear, young people can stay on their parents' health insurance, Medicaid has been expanded, and preventative services are available without out-of-pocket costs. The gravity of these changes cannot be overstated. The Affordable Care Act is more popular than ever and the American people are fiercely protecting of the care we all count on each day.

"As we take a moment to celebrate this momentous anniversary today, let us only allow it to be a moment. The work of ten years ago continues today and is more important than ever as Republicans and now this Administration have worked themselves breathless trying to take healthcare away from millions of Americans in Congress and in the courts. We need to work together to lower health care and prescription drug costs, expand access to mental health services, and improve the quality of healthcare. At this very moment, we are experiencing a global pandemic that serves as a stark reminder of the value of our personal health, our family's health, and the health of our communities. The fight is not over," said Underwood.

Underwood has championed several bills to strengthen our current system by reducing health care costs. In 2019, Underwood introduced the Health Care Affordability Act to reduce premiums for consumers who purchase plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Health Care Affordability Act (H.R. 1868) would expand tax credits to people who don't currently qualify for them because their income is higher than 400 percent of the federal poverty level, and would increase the size of the tax credit for all income brackets. In June, Underwood passed legislation as a part of the House appropriations package for Fiscal Year 2020 that would prevent the Department of Justice (DOJ) from spending federal funds on litigation that undermines the health care law, including Texas v. United States.

In Congress, Underwood has championed several bills to expand access to affordable, quality health care and protect Americans with preexisting conditions. In May 2019, legislation Underwood introduced to help protect Americans with preexisting conditions passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation, H.R. 1010, would overturn an Administration rule that expands short-term, limited-duration insurance, commonly known as "junk plans." The legislation followed action by the Administration that finalized a rule expanding short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans that do not have to offer patient protections like coverage for preexisting conditions or essential health benefits like maternity care, prescription drugs, and hospitalization that the ACA requires.