Twelve years ago today, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law, which lowered health care costs for millions and made it easier for Americans with pre-existing conditions to get coverage. Since then, President Biden and Democrats’ American Rescue Plan has built on the success of the ACA. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, 323,000 people in Illinois who get insurance through the marketplaces established by the ACA are now seeing reduced health care costs – no thanks to every single Republican member of Illinois’ congressional delegation, who unanimously voted against the American Rescue Plan.
This anniversary comes as Republicans have indicated they would deliver an agenda of hiking taxes and raising health insurance premiums if they take power in Congress. Earlier this month, Republican Senator Ron Johnson confirmed that some Republicans still want to repeal the Affordable Care Act. That would mean that more than 100 million Americans with preexisting conditions would lose insurance protections, Americans with private insurance could see their premiums skyrocket, 21 million Americans could lose their insurance, and more. Meanwhile, National Republican Senatorial Committee Chair Rick Scott’s agenda could raise taxes on 32.9% of Illinoisans.
“Twelve years ago today, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law amid unprecedented Republican opposition,” said Rep. Robin Kelly, Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. “Since then, Illinois Democrats have built on the progress of the ACA by expanding health care access and lowering costs for 323,000 Illinoisans with the American Rescue Plan, a move that Republicans unanimously opposed. The contrast could not be more clear: While Democrats are still fighting to lower costs for families, Republicans are still running on an agenda of higher premiums and reduced health care options for Illinoisans.”
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