Sandra Hernandez holds a “Don’t Take Away Our Health Care” protest sign outside the U.S. Capitol as the Senate voted on a “Skinny Repeal” of the Affordable Care Act inside on July 27, 2017 in Washington, D.C. The measure did not pass. (Alex Edelman/ZUma Press/TNS) Alex Edelman
By JAYME H. SIMÕES
Jayme H. Simões is a communications professional at Louis Karno & Co. in Concord who has advised numerous public policy and nonprofit organizations.
Fifteen years ago, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama, marking one of the most consequential health care reforms in American history. As someone who worked on its launch and helped lead public outreach efforts in New Hampshire, I have seen firsthand how the ACA has transformed our lives.
The ACA has expanded coverage for millions, lowered premiums and out-of-pocket costs and helped take New Hampshire’s uninsured rate to an all-time low. I should know: My family gets our coverage through the ACA.
For more than 100 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, the ACA guarantees protections against discrimination by insurance companies, ensuring they are not charged more or denied coverage. More than 150 million Americans now receive no-cost preventive care, and young adults can stay on their parents’ plans until age 26. Most importantly, a record 24.2 million Americans are now enrolled in ACA Marketplace coverage, thanks to tax credits that have made health insurance more affordable for middle-class families.
These tax credits have provided vital financial relief, helping families afford not just health care, but also essentials like rent, groceries, and gas. Health care should never be a luxury — it is a necessity. The ACA has made it possible for many people to seek medical care without the fear of financial ruin or going without treatment altogether.
When the ACA was first implemented, I worked with Louis Karno & Company to ensure that New Hampshire families knew their options under the law. Through Covering New Hampshire, we launched a statewide campaign to educate uninsured residents about their new health care choices and financial assistance available through the Marketplace. We used a comprehensive outreach strategy, from the CoveringNewHampshire.gov website to digital ads, direct mail campaigns, radio and TV broadcasts. We shared stories of real Granite Staters who gained coverage through the ACA, making it clear how these policies impact lives.
Over the last 15 years, the ACA has helped stabilize health insurance markets, strengthen protections for patients, and improve health outcomes across the country. It has been especially beneficial in rural communities, where access to affordable health care is often limited. Many rural hospitals and clinics rely on Medicaid expansion, a key provision of the ACA, to remain open and continue serving their communities. Without it, hospitals in underserved areas would be at risk of closure, and patients would be forced to travel long distances for care.
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The economic benefits of the ACA cannot be overlooked today. By lowering the number of uninsured individuals, the ACA has helped reduce uncompensated care costs that burden hospitals and drive up expenses for everyone. It has also provided financial security to millions of families who no longer have to worry about being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition or reaching a lifetime cap on their benefits.
Despite the ACA’s success, challenges remain. While enrollment has reached record highs, millions of Americans still lack access to affordable health care. Continued efforts are needed to ensure that coverage remains accessible, affordable and responsive to the needs of working families, small business owners and young adults.
Worse, some in Congress want to end the tax credits, others want to end Medicaid Expansion and some want to end the ACA altogether. Millions of Americans like me rely on these tax credits, but some want to take them away, which would lead premiums to spike and leave 5 million more people uninsured.
As the ACA turns 15, it is worth reflecting on how far we’ve come and the work that still needs to be done. Health care reform does not end with one law; it requires continued improvements, investments in public health and policies that put people first. The ACA has shown that when we expand access to affordable health care, we strengthen our economy, improve public health and give millions of Americans the security and dignity they deserve.
Fifteen years later, the ACA remains a lifeline for millions. Now is the time to secure its success and ensure that every American has access to the care they need — today, tomorrow and for generations to come. Congress needs to act now.
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