Assemblywoman Haider, Health Care Advocates Call on Congress to Build on Success of the Affordable Care Act and Lower Health Care Costs

Twelve years after the ACA was signed into law, New Jerseyans have access to quality, affordable health care

*Watch the event here*

NEW JERSEY — Today, Assemblywoman Haider and health care advocates joined Protect Our Care New Jersey to mark the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and highlight how millions of people have benefited from the law’s provisions that lowered costs and expanded access to care. The historic legislation also eliminated lifetime caps, expanded Medicaid, and secured protections for millions living with pre-existing conditions. Speakers also discussed the urgent need for Congress to pass provisions that will build on the success of ACA and help bring down the cost of health care for New Jerseyans.

“New Jerseyans have benefited from the Affordable Care Act’s historic provisions, which helped lower costs and expand access to care,” said Assemblywoman Shama Haider from New Jersey’s 37th Legislative District. “Twelve years later, we continue to see the benefits of the ACA in our everyday lives. Thanks to President Biden and Democrats in Congress the ACA is here to stay, and I urge our leaders in Congress to continue fighting to expand coverage, make healthcare more affordable, lower prescription drug prices, and reduce racial disparities in health care.”

After Republicans spent years seeking to destroy the ACA, President Biden signed into law the largest expansion of health care in more than a decade. The American Rescue Plan made coverage more affordable than ever before, with a record 14.5 million Americans – and over 324,000 New Jerseyans – signing up for health coverage during the ACA open enrollment period using the enhanced premium tax credits included in the plan. President Biden and the Democrats are continuing their work to lower health care and prescription drug costs. Congress has the opportunity to strengthen the ACA, by making these lower premiums permanent, and ensuring New Jerseyans can continue to receive affordable health care coverage.

“There is no doubt that we are in a better place today than we were 12 years ago thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Because of the ACA, more New Jerseyans have access to quality, affordable health care than ever before,” said Brittany Holom-Trundy, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst, New Jersey Policy Perspective. “There is so much to be thankful for because of the ACA, and our elected officials must continue to build on that progress by expanding coverage and improving health equity to further drive down health care costs.”

You can watch the event here, and learn more about how the Affordable Care Act has strengthened health care in New Jersey here.

###