U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), leader of the Senate Democrats’ #ACAWorks Campaign and member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement marking the 6th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA):
{{more}}
“When the Affordable Care Act was signed into law six years ago, 20 million fewer Americans were insured. 129 million people with preexisting conditions were at risk of being denied coverage. And 10 million seniors were paying almost $2,000 more a year for prescription drugs. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more Americans can get the health care they need than ever before.
“Connecticut has led the nation in implementing the law. By enrolling more than 116,000 people this year, including 20,000 new customers, our state has shown the real good that can come from pairing strong management and a good-faith desire to help people.
“Our health care system is still far from perfect. There’s more we can do to rein in costs and expand coverage. But the Affordable Care Act is here to stay – and millions of Americans are better off because of it.”
Before the ACA was signed into law, potentially avoidable hospital readmissions accounted for more than $17 billion in Medicare expenditures annually. After the ACA was signed into law – between April 2010 and May 2015 – there were approximately 565,000 fewer potentially avoidable hospital readmissions. These and other quality improvement initiatives have resulted in $20 billion in costs savings and have saved the lives of 87,000 individuals by reducing hospital acquired conditions like ulcers and infections.
Since March 23, 2010, 20 million previously uninsured people have gained insurance, and there continues to be low health care spending growth.