Despite being politically demonized and obstructed by Republicans for nearly 15 years, the Affordable Care Act has been a success: Now, according to new numbers from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a large health care nonprofit focused on policy research, more people than ever before are buying quality, affordable health insurance that gives them peace of mind knowing they can see a doctor when they get sick.
As a pastor and Christian, I advocate for affordable and accessible health insurance because I have seen firsthand the impact that a lack of health care can have on families’ health and financial well-being in communities across Ohio.
Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of President Joe Biden and congressional Democrats to protect and expand the ACA, Ohio's coverage has more than doubled — but now all of that progress is once again under threat.
The Inflation Control Act, pushed by President Biden and signed into law, reduced or eliminated out-of-pocket premiums for millions of people by extending the tax credit through 2025. Lower premiums allow more families than ever before to get the coverage they need to stay healthy. 80% of families can find insurance for $10 or less through the Marketplace. The average savings for the approximately 240,000 Ohioans who receive the premium tax credit is $481 per month – money they can put toward other everyday needs, like putting food on the table and a roof over their heads.
The Biden Administration also invested heavily in education and outreach to make it easier for people to get insurance. The Administration made the largest investment ever in navigator programs to help more people get the health insurance that's best for them, with a particular focus on outreach to populations who are more likely to be uninsured, including those from historically marginalized communities. The Administration also worked to address family barriers that previously prevented millions of families from obtaining affordable insurance. As a result, ACA insurance is now more affordable for more people than ever before.
Despite record success, Republican lawmakers can't stop trying to repeal the ACA. Even as Ohioans rely on it more than ever, Donald Trump and his Republican allies have renewed their calls to repeal the law and its protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Trump has publicly attacked it multiple times since first rekindling his promise to “repeal” the ACA in November.
This is not new. Trump has successfully weakened and weakened the law during his time in office, leading to declining enrollment and weakening protections for people with pre-existing conditions. In 2017 he was one vote away from completely repealing the ACA, and now Republicans are increasingly aligning with Trump. If Republicans get their way, Ohioans will lose important protections for pre-existing conditions, free preventive services, and reduced drug costs. The threat is real.
The risks to American health care have never been higher, and we must take these threats seriously.
The Rev. Brandon AAJ Davis is pastor of Warren AME Church in Toledo.
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