Santa Monica, CA (March 23, 2016) — Today marks six years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law. Mayra E. Alvarez, President of The Children’s Partnership and a former Obama Administration appointee at the US Department of Health and Human Services, released the following statement:
“Six years ago today, history was made when the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. Since that time, millions of families and their children have gained a newfound security provided by quality, affordable health coverage and care. Health care costs have slowed, both for our nation and for our families’ pocketbooks. Families can put their health first and get needed preventive health care services at no additional out-of-pocket cost. Without a doubt, the law’s enactment has forever reshaped the nature of coverage and health care delivery for families and their children in the United States.
California serves as an example for how state leadership can deliver on the promise made by the law and forge ahead to do even more for the health of children and families. Today, more than half of all children in California are enrolled in Medi-Cal, our state’s Medicaid program, and an additional 70,000 kids have coverage through Covered California. California was the first state in the nation to enact legislation creating a health insurance marketplace, and now Covered California provides nine out of every ten enrollees some level of financial assistance. The expansion of Medi-Cal supports more low-income Californians than ever before and helps cement the program’s history as a foundation of coverage for children. With the recent expansion of Medi-Cal coverage to all low-income children and advocacy efforts focused on insuring all Californians, regardless of immigration status, California continues to lead the way to securing health care as a right—not a privilege.
As we celebrate the progress made, we must also continue our work to improve the health of children and their families. With millions more enrolled in coverage, helping families understand how to use their insurance and navigate the health care system is critical to advancing children’s health. When we make sure kids get coverage and care today, we ensure a better tomorrow for them and for all of us.”
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