Overhead view of Sacramento

Congresswoman Matsui Opposes Legislation to Delay, Obstruct and Repeal Affordable Care Act

October 4, 2017
Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 17, 2013

CONTACT: JONELLE TRIMMER
(202) 225-7163

Congresswoman Matsui Opposes Legislation to Delay, Obstruct and Repeal Affordable Care Act

Health care law has already provided tangible benefits to millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands in the Sacramento region

Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06) voted against H.R. 2668, the Fairness for American Families Act and H.R. 2667, the Authority for Mandate Delay Act, two bills that would delay, obstruct and/or repeal the Affordable Care Act and the benefits it provides millions of Americans.

"Any efforts to undo the Affordable Care Act would increase health costs and reduce current and future benefits for millions of American families. This includes hundreds of thousands of residents here in the Sacramento region," said Congresswoman Matsui. "Today's votes are political gimmicks that would harm seniors, students and middle class Americans, while distracting from the critical work we should be focusing on to create jobs."

A new analysis prepared by the Minority staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee provides updated estimates for the number of people in the 6th congressional district currently benefiting from the health care law.

The new analysis shows that in the Sacramento region the Affordable Care Act has already provided:

  • Coverage for 8,800 additional young adults in California's 6th congressional district. The health care law requires health insurers to permit parents to retain coverage for their children until their 26th birthday. Because of this provision 8,800 young adults in the district have already gained health care coverage.
  • Lower drug costs for 4,500 seniors in California's 6th congressional district. The health care law is providing major savings in drug costs for seniors in the Medicare Part D andlsquo;donut hole.' Because of this provision, 4,500 seniors in the district have received prescription drug discounts worth $4.5 million, an average discount of $390 per person in 2011, $490 in 2012, and $580 thus far in 2013.
  • Free preventive services for 92,000 seniors in California's 6th congressional district. Since 2011, the health care law provides free Medicare coverage of preventive services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies. Because of this provision, 92,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for Medicare preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance or deductible.
  • Free preventive services for 160,000 individuals in private plans in California's 6th congressional district. Since September 2010, the health care law also provides, for those enrolled in most private plans, free coverage of preventive services. As a result, individuals in private plans - including 35,000 children and 67,000 women - now have health insurance that covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible.
  • Savings in premiums for 184,000 individuals in California's 6th congressional district. 184,000 individuals in the district have saved on their premiums due to ACA provisions that prevent insurers from spending more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead. Because of these protections, over 32, 800 consumers in the district received approximately $2.4 million in insurance company rebates in 2011 and 2012 - an average rebate of $71 per family in 2012 and $65 per family in 2011.
  • Protection for up to 44,000 children with pre-existing conditions in California's 6th congressional district. Since September 2010, the health care law has prohibited insurers from denying coverage to children for having a pre-existing health condition. Because of this provision, up to 44,000 children with pre-existing conditions in the district are being protected from denial of coverage.
  • Elimination of lifetime limits on coverage for 195,000 individuals in California's 6th congressional district. Since September 2010, the health care law has prohibited insurers from placing a lifetime limit on coverage. As a result, in the district, 195,000 individuals no longer have a lifetime limit imposed on their coverage, and beginning in 2014, will not face an annual limit on coverage.
  • Access to quality, affordable coverage for 113,000 uninsured individuals in California's 6th congressional district. Beginning in 2014, millions of uninsured Americans will gain access to quality, affordable health coverage, through the new Marketplaces and the expansion of Medicaid, under the health care law. In the district, 113,000 individuals who lack health insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a preexisting health condition.

"There is no question that the Affordable Care Act has provided tangible benefits to many families in the Sacramento region, and it will continue to do so as we move toward full implementation in 2014. I will continue to oppose any efforts to repeal this critical legislation," said Congresswoman Matsui.

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