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ACA Statement: Victory for All

This week’s Supreme Court decision affirming the constitutionality of Affordable Care Act (also called “Obama-Cares”) was a victory for all of America, especially women who must pay more for their health care than men under the prior system.

aca

Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was enacted, being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition requiring higher premiums.  In addition, young adults now have access to health care until they’re 26, insurers cannot discriminate against children with pre-existing conditions, small business owners receive tax credits for offering their employees health insurance, seniors receive discounts on brand-name pharmaceuticals, and more. Thus far, Texans have already received the following benefits from the ACA:

  • 300,731 young adults have gained access to health care coverage through their parents’ plan
  • 4,029 individuals with pre-existing conditions now have health care coverage
  • $166,975,840 in excessive premiums will be returned to consumers in Texas with an average of $187 per family
  • 3,836,000 received preventive services using their private insurance plans that did not require a co-payment at time of services
  • 55,280 seniors saved an average of $1,384 on prescription drugs using their Medicare plans
  • 1,012,180 seniors received preventive services via Medicare without needing to provide a co-payment at time of services

When the full ACA is in place in 2014, health care in this country will be vastly improved. Texans on the whole will receive far more benefits and savings, including the inability of insurers to discriminate against any individuals on the basis of pre-existing conditions.

The ACA will also result in more funding for medical research, and is ultimately a job creator. I am very pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision, and once in Congress, I will work to ensure that the Affordable Care Act is not repealed.

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OIL PATCH DEMOCRATS AND HCDP HOST CHEASTY ANDERSON ON AFFORDABLE CARE ACT: JULY 26

Who/What: The Oil Patch Democrats are sponsoring an evening “brown bag” question and answer session on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in conjunction with the Harris County Democratic Party (HCDP)

When: Thursday, July 26, 2012
Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. / Program begins promptly at 7:00 p.m.

Where:  Harris County Democratic Party Headquarters

    1445 N. Loop W., Suite 110
    Houston, Texas 77008 
The featured speaker will be Cheasty Anderson of the Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) and the Texas Well and Healthy campaign.  She will give an hour-long presentation on the Affordable Care Act, its standing after the recent Supreme Court decision, and other healthcare options in Texas, including Medicaid and Medicare.

Anderson is CPPP’s Texas Well and Healthy Outreach Coordinator and Educator. She joined the Center in 2011and focuses on healthcare policy, community education, and outreach. Anderson is the Education Outreach Coordinator for Texas Well and Healthy, a statewide campaign to educate Texans about ACA and to protect existing health coverage for Texans. The project’s goal is to create an advocacy network that will help Texans push for successful implementation of health reform in 2014, and beyond that, to continue working for a healthier, better-insured Texas.