Congresswoman Matsui Announces 105 Million Americans Have Gained Access to Free Preventive Care Thanks to the Affordable Care Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Announces 105 Million Americans Have Gained Access to Free Preventive Care Thanks to the Affordable Care Act
If health law was repealed more than 11 million Californians would lose access to free recommended preventive services
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) released figures highlighting the number of Californians who have gained access to free preventive care services such as cancer screenings and immunizations as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
As a result of the ACA, 105 million Americans have gained access to free preventive care services. 71 million Americans with private insurance - including more than 8 million in California - received expanded coverage of one or more preventive services in 2011 and 2012, according to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Furthermore, due to the ACA, approximately 34 million Medicare enrollees - including more than 3 million Californians - received one or more free preventive service in 2012.
"Preventive services are critically important to reducing long-term health costs in our country and improving our nation's wellness," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions of Californians now have access to free recommended preventive services ranging from breast cancer screenings to immunizations to cholesterol and blood pressure screenings. Preventive services not only save lives by catching problems early or preventing them altogether, but they can also save families money over the long term."
"In 2006, I was laid off from my job in Sacramento. I found work with a non-profit quickly, but it came without benefits. I could not afford COBRA. I was uninsured for four years, which was the scariest time in my life. I only saw a doctor one time, and did not have any tests or examinations done. I wanted to get a regular mammogram, so I could be tested for breast cancer. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act and the full coverage for preventive tests, this is now a reality," said Margie, a Sacramento resident and constituent who shared her story with Congresswoman Matsui.
"Like Margie, millions of women across the country and right here in California have new peace of mind thanks to the Affordable Care Act. With free breast cancer screenings covered under the law, women can potentially catch life-threatening conditions before they escalate. It's time for House Republicans to work with us to improve and strengthen the law, rather than rooting for its failure," added Matsui.
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