Legislation expands access to health care, drives down costs and strengthens protections for people with pre-existing conditions
More than 730,000 Illinoisans would lose coverage without the Affordable Care Act
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) applauded the introduction of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (ACA), which would make health care and prescription drugs more affordable, strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions, reduce racial disparities in health coverage and expand access to health care. The bill is expected to come to a vote in the House of Representatives early next week.
“Why Washington Republicans would choose to trudge forward with a reckless lawsuit to strip coverage away from millions of Americans during a devastating pandemic is beyond me,” Congresswoman Bustos said. “Access to affordable health care must be a non-negotiable – especially in the middle of a pandemic. That’s why House Democrats have passed more than a dozen bills to drive down the costs of health care and prescription drugs. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act continues that commitment at a time when it is desperately needed, and Illinoisans are anxious about their physical and financial well-being. I will proudly support this legislation to lower premiums, protect people with pre-existing conditions, allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and strengthen our health care system for working families.”
The introduction of this legislation comes as Washington Republicans push forward their dangerous lawsuit, Texas v. U.S., to eliminate the ACA without a replacement – stripping away coverage for folks with pre-existing conditions, assistance for seniors with high drug costs, the ban on lifetime limits, bipartisan Medicaid expansion and the ability of individuals to stay on their parents’ health insurance until the age of 26.
In Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, at least 28,000 people would lose their coverage if the Washington Republican’s lawsuit is successful – and across the state, more than 730,000 Illinoisans would lose health coverage altogether.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act would:
- Lower health coverage costs by bringing down insurance premiums;
- Lower prescription drug prices by allowing Medicare to negotiate costs, which was also included in the Lower Drug Costs Now Act;
- Expand coverage;
- Combat inequality in health coverage faced by communities of color by fighting the maternal mortality epidemic and protecting vulnerable populations from losing coverage;
- Crack down on junk plans; and
- Strengthen protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
You can view a full one-page summary of the bill HERE.
