FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2025
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
15th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act is Met with Challenges, Animus
(Washington, DC) – This weekend marks the 15th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), legislation that has dramatically reshaped the U.S. health care system. Since its passage in 2010, the ACA has expanded coverage for young adults, allowing them to stay on their parents insurance until 26, provided protections for pre-existing conditions, and increased access to preventive care.
Despite the profound impact the ACA has made for accessible and affordable health care, it still faces significant funding cuts, legal challenges, and policy rollbacks. Currently, Congress is weighing $880 billion in cuts from Medicaid, the ACA’s mandate to require insurers to cover preventive services at no cost to patients is being challenged in the Supreme Court, and enhanced premium tax credits, which drastically lower health insurance premiums for those who purchase their own coverage, are set to expire with no plans for restoration.
Since the enactment of the ACA the uninsured rate of young adults has been cut in half, resulting in 5.6 million fewer uninsured young adults. The ACA has expanded coverage, reduced health care costs, and improved the quality of care for millions of Americans.
In response, Mina Schultz, Health Care Policy and Advocacy Manager at Young Invincibles said:
“The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has revolutionized health care access for millions of Americans, especially young adults. Year after year, record-breaking numbers gain coverage during open enrollment, and some non-expansion states are still considering Medicaid expansion, signaling openness to improving coverage. This underscores the importance of protecting, funding, and expanding the ACA, rather than cutting funding for vital programs and undermining access to essential preventive care. The ACA is lifesaving legislation that has transformed young adults’ access to health insurance, enabling them to take charge of their health and prioritize their needs.
As we celebrate the 15th anniversary, it is vital that we continue to improve and fund the ACA. While it has made significant strides, the ACA is a foundation for affordable care that must be built upon and expanded to best serve the needs of young people. Further attempts to repeal the ACA would be a grave mistake, directly harming the young adults who rely on it for access to necessary care.”
In response, Jessica Huang, National Youth Advisory Board Alum said:
“As a young adult with a disability, the Affordable Care Act has been life-changing. Because of these protections, I’ve been able to take charge of my health. In just under three years, I’ve gone from working on learning how to transfer to climbing stairs. The ACA has allowed me to defy the odds, balance my education, and strive towards my future. At 15 years old, it remains a vital protection for young people like me, and any attack on it threatens our ability to thrive.”
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Young Invincibles (YI) is a national advocacy and policy nonprofit organization focused on amplifying the voice of young people in the political process at the local, state, and federal levels. YI focuses on issues impacting young adults ages 18 to 34 in higher education, health care, economic security, and civic engagement. Our offices include Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and Texas. For more information, please contact Emma Bittner at (972) 510-3395 or emma.bittner@younginvincibles.org