Today, we hit a major milestone in lowering costs and ensuring all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care: a record-breaking 20 million Americans have enrolled in health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. With six days left to still get covered, 8 million more Americans have signed up for ACA coverage than when I took office.
The Affordable Care Act is more popular than ever, and Affordable Care Act coverage is more affordable than ever. Thanks to efforts by my Administration, millions of Americans are saving hundreds or thousands of dollars each year on health insurance premiums, and most people who shop for coverage at HealthCare.gov can find a plan for $10 a month or less.
We must build upon this progress and make these lower health care premiums permanent. But extreme Republicans have blocked these efforts at every turn. Their plan would raise costs for millions of people, especially older Americans and small business owners who rely on the marketplace for their coverage, by repealing the improvements I signed into law. In fact, they want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, just as my predecessor tried and failed to do, which would strip these 20 million people of their coverage, end Medicaid coverage for millions more, and return to the days when insurance companies had free reign to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions and charge women more than men.
That would be a catastrophe for families who would face skyrocketing health care costs. I won’t let it happen on my watch. As too many Americans know: access to quality, affordable health care can mean the difference between life and death, and hope and fear. That’s why I will continue fighting to bring down health care and prescription drug costs. I encourage Americans to visit HealthCare.gov before January 16th to sign up for health coverage this year.
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