WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Silvestre Reyes (D-TX), released the following statement today on the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act:
A year ago today, on March 23rd, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act. Thanks to the passage of this historic legislation, many El Pasoans have more access to quality and affordable health care. The Affordable Care Act lowers health care costs, while creating jobs, and reducing the deficit.
This legislation not only offers better access to quality and affordable health care for El Pasoans, but it also came at a crucial time for our state. Sadly, in 2009 Texas had the highest percentage of children and adults without insurance. More than 6.1 million adults and 1.4 million children in our state were without basic coverage. In El Paso alone, 230,000 people – 1 in 3 – were without coverage.
Now because of the Affordable Care Act, thousands of El Pasoans and Texans are benefiting from the provisions that have been implemented, including children who can no longer be denied coverage by insurance companies due to a ‘pre-existing condition,’ and El Paso’s young adults can now stay on their parents’ health plan until their 26th birthday. Nationally, young people make up the largest demographic without health insurance, so this provision is particularly vital for millions of young Americans.
Today, El Paso seniors can now receive free preventative care. More than 40 million seniors enrolled in Medicare will begin to see significant savings by getting preventive services such as mammograms and colonoscopies, and an annual wellness visit, without copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles. Seniors with high prescription drug costs, who hit what is known as the Medicare ‘donut hole’ that requires them to pay more out of pocket expenses will be receiving a 50% discount on brand-name drugs – a discount that grows until the ‘donut hole’ is closed in 2020. In El Paso, over 2,200 seniors who hit the Medicare ‘donut hole’ in 2010 have already received $250 rebate to help cover prescription drug costs.
In a few years, insurers will not be able to discriminate against any of the 129 million Americans with ‘pre-existing conditions,’ and there will be state-based insurance exchanges where they will have access to affordable, quality health coverage.
The Affordable Care Act was a major victory for Texas and the El Paso community. The benefits of health care reform will continue to grow for all Americans.”
