FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2024
Contact: Emma Bittner
(972) 510-3395 | Emma.Bittner@younginvincibles.org
Affordable Care Act Celebrates 14 Years of Advancing Health Care Access
(Washington, DC) – This week marks the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. Since its inception, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has bolstered access to affordable health coverage for young people through Medicaid expansion, the ability to stay on their parents’ coverage until age 26, and the creation of the ACA marketplaces.
The ACA has made significant strides in ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare. Notably, it prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. This provision ensures that young adults with health concerns have access to affordable coverage. Additionally, the ACA covers preventive services, including vaccinations, contraceptive services, and screenings for mental health conditions, sexually transmitted infections, and high blood pressure. These services and protections are critical at a time when half of young adults are presenting with at least one chronic condition and one-third of young adults are suffering from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness.
A historic number 21.4 million people gained coverage during the 11th annual Open Enrollment period. This year, over 5.7 million young adults received coverage through the marketplace, a nearly 40 percent increase from the previous Open Enrollment period. This includes record enrollment numbers from states such as Texas, where nearly one million young adults took advantage of the options available on HealthCare.gov. The continued record number of people signing up for coverage underscores the importance of protecting, funding, and expanding the ACA.
Yesterday, Young Invincibles hosted a digital day of action in partnership with Health and Human Services (HHS) connecting with thousands of young adults, and the overall campaign reached over two million people. With the onslaught of attacks against the ACA, the digital day of action served as an opportunity to uplift the success and colossal impact the ACA has had, and will continue to have.
In response, Martha Sanchez, Director of Health Care Policy and Advocacy at Young Invincibles said:
“Coverage gained during the 11th annual Open Enrollment was monumental. The continued record number of people signing up for coverage underscores the importance of protecting, funding, and expanding the Affordable Care Act, not repealing or undermining its preventive services. Thanks to the extended premium tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, the ACA has provided coverage for record-low costs, with plans as low as $10. Now is the time for Congress to make these subsidies permanent, invest in Navigator funding, and ensure we prioritize access and affordability for all.”
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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