Frank Pallone: “Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, 17.6 million Americans have gained health insurance coverage and are no…”

“Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, 17.6 million Americans have gained health insurance coverage and are no longer one accident, injury, or diagnosis away from financial ruin. This is the largest reduction in the uninsured in four decades. The ACA has increased access and reduced financial barriers to important preventive services, such as cancer screenings and well-woman visits by requiring their coverage with no cost sharing. The law also stopped insurers from discriminating based on preexisting conditions or placing annual limits on how much health care they will cover. Though the ACA is already helping millions nationwide, no law is perfect, and there are certainly ways we can improve the ACA and build upon its successes. Given the political theatre that tends to surround the ACA, I am pleased to see that my Republican colleagues are ready to work together on bipartisan proposals such as H.R. 1624 with the goal of strengthening the law. Unfortunately, though, I do not agree with the approach this bill takes. H.R. 1624 would permanently change the law to make the small group expansion currently required under the ACA optional for states and allow states to ``opt in'' if they choose. Research tells us that some states simply are not ready to expand their small group market and that expansion in these states could result in higher costs for certain consumers. However, the small group expansion was included in the ACA for good reason.…”