Wyden Statement on 16th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Wyden Statement on 16th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Washington, D.C. - Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement on the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) becoming law.

"After decades of discrimination against Americans with pre-existing conditions, the Affordable Care Act created guaranteed protections that are now fundamental to American life, among a host of measures to make health care more affordable and accessible for all," Wyden said. "Unfortunately Republicans have not ceased their ideological crusade against the ACA since it became law, and as a result that guarantee is in name only for too many Americans. Because of Trump and Republicans, premiums are up, junk plans are on the rise, and states are facing impossible choices to balance their budgets in light of the largest Medicaid cuts in history.

"American families want their elected officials to make good on the promise of the ACA: universal coverage that people can count on when they need it, lower costs for families, and a system that puts Americans and their families ahead of massive corporations. Those values are the cornerstone of Senate Democrats' work to ensure health care is affordable for all Americans."

This spring, Wyden and Senate Democrats began an effort to lower health care costs for American families. Last week, Wyden and eleven Senate Democrats launched an effort to improve health coverage for Americans with private health insurance. Last month, Wyden and three Senate Democrats unveiled an effort to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

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