U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, issued the following statement in recognition of the sixth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.
“Today we recognize the sixth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, which has provided health coverage to 20 million previously uninsured Americans. African Americans, in particular, have benefited tremendously from the ACA.
Among African American adults, the uninsured rate dropped by 53 percent since 2013, resulting in 3 million people gaining coverage. Nearly 8 million African Americans with private insurance now have access to preventative services like mammograms or flu shots with no co-pay or deductible. More than 500,000 African American young adults between the ages of 19 and 26 who would have been uninsured now have coverage under their parents’ plan.
For decades, millions of Americans lacked the security of healthcare coverage they deserve. But access to comprehensive and affordable health care is not a privilege – it’s a basic human right. The Affordable Care Act helps ensure that right. As Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust, I’m working with Congress and stakeholders to protect and defend the ACA and push for the further expansion of coverage necessary to provide all Americans with the quality healthcare they nee
