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Congresswoman McCollum Highlights Benefits of Federal Health Care Reform Law for Minnesotans on One Year Anniversary of Affordable Care Act

March 23, 2011

Contact: Maria Reppas, (202) 225-6631 / (202) 527-0149 maria.reppas@mail.house.gov

Congresswoman McCollum Visits the Boynton Health Service

Washington, DC–This week marks the one year anniversary of the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148). Millions of Americans are already receiving enhanced health benefits and enjoying new patient protections. Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement, regarding the health care law's first year:

"This week, I met with officials from the Boynton Health Service and saw first hand how federal health care reform is making a difference for students in Minnesota. As a result of the law, 16,000 young adults in Minnesota can remain on their parents' health care policy until the age of 26. Minnesotans under the age of 19 cannot be denied coverage by an insurance company for having a 'pre-existing condition.' And the deficit reduction measures included in the Affordable Care Act will prevent over $1 trillion in federal debt falling on the shoulders of young people across this country.

"Only one year after enactment, federal healthcare reform is already making good on the promise of expanding health insurance coverage, increasing access to quality health care, and extending consumer protections against insurance company abuses. Across America, 4 million small businesses are now eligible for tax credits that help them provide coverage for their employees. Seniors who fall into the Medicare Part D 'donut hole' are receiving 50 percent discounts on brand name drugs. And families will never again be forced into bankruptcy because an insurance company placed lifetime limits on their health coverage. This law is working for the American people even before the full benefits go into effect in 2014.

"Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress ignore the improvements health reform is making in their communities and continue to attack the law with false or misleading claims. In January, House Republicans passed a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act without offering an alternative package of reforms to consider. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determined the Republican repeal of healthcare would increase federal deficits by over $200 billion in the next 10 years. Instead of working to kill healthcare reform and defeat President Obama, Republicans should commit their best energies to working with Democrats to implement this historic law and create a healthier America."

Congresswoman Betty McCollum serves on the House Appropriations and Budget Committees.

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Issues:Health Care