Soto Statement on 16th Anniversary of Affordable Care Act Signing

On March 23, 2010, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, giving millions of Americans access to quality, affordable healthcare

KISSIMMEE, FL - Today, Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) released the following statement on the 16^th anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act by President Barack Obama:

"Sixteen years ago today, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law, giving millions of Americans access to quality, affordable healthcare. In Florida's Ninth Congressional District, over 275,000 constituents are enrolled, the second-most in the nation," said Rep. Soto. "Through the addition of the Premium Tax Credit, millions saw their insurance premiums lowered by thousands of dollars per year. However, Republicans' refusal to extend the credit has caused the American people to see their healthcare costs skyrocket, and many have been forced to go without coverage as a result. House Democrats were able to garner bipartisan support to pass a three-year extension, but the Senate has failed to act for months as families continue struggling to make ends meet."

During the day, Rep. Soto held meetings with constituents whose lives have been changed thanks to Obamacare, as well as healthcare providers in Central Florida who are seeing the effects of price hikes firsthand.

"As a small business owner, I couldn't afford health insurance on my own. The Affordable Care Act changed that," said Max Gebhardt, a FL-09 constituent. "When I needed a liver transplant, having that coverage meant I actually had a fighting chance. Honestly, I don't know where I'd be without it."

Click here for a video of Rep. Soto with Max's father, John Gebhardt.

"The Affordable Care Act has been critical in ensuring more Floridians can access care when they need it. From a hospital perspective, maintaining coverage and affordability isn't just policy-it directly impacts whether patients come in early for treatment or delay care until it becomes an emergency," said HCA Florida Osceola Hospital Chief Executive Officer David Shimp. "Preserving and strengthening coverage options is essential to improving health outcomes and keeping our communities healthy."

In FL-09, data shows that:

• 273,000 people are seeing their health care costs rise
• 105,000 people will lose access to health coverage

Nationally, new data shows that:

• By ending the ACA Premium Tax Credit, Republicans doubled and tripled premiums for over 20 million Americans
• 1/3 of Americans who buy healthcare on their own have been forced to reduce their coverage
• Marketplace enrollment is already down by 1 million

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