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Congressman Johnson celebrates ACA Anniversary

March 20, 2019

On March 19, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) joined heath care activists to celebrate the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and drive home how important the law has been protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions.

"The Affordable Care Act revolutionized healthcare in this country and ever since its passing people have come out all over the country to fight against the Trump Administration and their acts to repeal it," said Rep. Johnson, who voted to pass the ACA in 2010 and fought against 60-plus efforts by Republicans to repeal the law. "From allowing children to stay on their parents' coverage until age 26, no discrimination between men and women, the fact that people with pre-existing conditions were eligible for coverage, the free annual wellness exams; repeal and replace will not happen on our watch."

Nine years after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law: the uninsured rate has been cut in half, insurers can no longer deny, drop, or limit the care you get because of a pre-existing condition; personal bankruptcy filings have been cut in half; out-of-pocket spending has dropped by double digits; millions of people have benefitted from tax credits to pay for coverage or no-cost preventive care such as birth control; and women can no longer be charged more than men.

"Voters voiced loud and clear this past November that they want to keep and strengthen these provisions, not repeal or undermine them. However, this has not stopped the Trump Administration and Republicans from doubling down on their repeal-and-sabotage agenda. From the Texas v. United States et al. lawsuit to eliminate the ACA, to the budget recently proposed by the Administration that slashes Medicaid and Medicare, the war on health care persists," said Joe Binns, State Director of Protect Our Care Georgia. "On this ninth anniversary of the ACA becoming law, we must continue speaking out against the threats to our health care, holding our leaders accountable, and demanding that they protect our care."

The March 19 event was hosted by Protect Our Care Georgia. Along with Rep. Johnson and Binns, other speakers included State Representatives Bob Trammell, Minority Leader, Erick Allen, Pat Gardner, Mary Robichaux, Betsy Holland, Pat Gardner, State Senator Nan Orrock and Luisa Wakeman, RN.

"Residents of my state – ranging from young adults to seniors to children – are receiving critical benefits from this health care law," said Rep. Johnson. "Today is a cause for celebration, but also defines a call for action to protect affordable healthcare for all Georgians."

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Rep. Hank Johnson with constituents

Issues:Health Care