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Sarbanes Statement on Five-Year Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

March 23, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today to commemorate the five-year anniversary of President Barack Obama signing the Affordable Care Act into law:

"On March 23, 2010, I was proud to join my colleagues in Congress and President Obama to advance groundbreaking legislation designed to make high-quality health care more affordable and accessible to millions of Americans. Five years later, I'm just as proud to say that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has greatly improved our nation's health care system.

"Thanks to the ACA, 16.4 million Americans – who were previously uninsured – have health insurance today, and the uninsured rate is at its lowest level since the 1970s.

"Just as important, the ACA has strengthened consumer protections, preventing insurers from denying coverage to 129 million Americans with preexisting conditions and ensuring that health plans must now cover essential benefits like maternity care and prescription drugs.

"The ACA has also slowed health care costs. Average premiums for health insurance increased at their lowest rates since 1999, saving families an average of $1,800. Moreover, the prices of health care goods and services have risen at the slowest rate in nearly 50 years. In addition, the ACA has helped seniors and people with disabilities save an average of $1,598 on prescription drugs.

"Finally, the ACA has improved the quality of care for everyday Americans. Incentives established by the ACA for doctors and hospitals have reduced the rate of patient harm in U.S. hospitals by 17 percent, preventing an estimated 50,000 deaths.

"As we look back on many of the ACA's successes, I look forward to seeing the law bring even more benefits and savings to everyday Americans in Maryland and across the country in the years to come."

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Issues:Health Care