PHILADELPHIA – Dec. 19, 2019 – State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia/Montgomery) reaffirmed his commitment to protecting the major tenets of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), following a recent federal court decision in New Orleans that ruled the ACA’s requirement that people have health insurance was unconstitutional.
Sen. Hughes led the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus on legislation last Diciembre that would protect health care rights for Pennsylvanians with preexisting conditions, as well as the 10 essential health benefits (EHB) covered by the ACA. All members of the caucus support the legislation. Senator Hughes is sponsoring and supporting legislation that prohibits insurance policies within the commonwealth from imposing either annual or lifetime limits, as well as a proposal that would allow young adults to stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 26.
“Protecting the health care rights provided by the Affordable Care Act, is a cornerstone issue for the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus,” Sen. Hughes said. “That is why I have introduced and support legislation that would uphold its provisions, and why I will continue fight for public policy that puts the needs of the people first. President Barack Obama’s signature policy victory has helped millions maintain or improve their quality of life through access to better health care. That should be applauded and expanded, and not under constant attacks from the right. We will not go backwards.”
Pennsylvania has fully and successfully implemented the ACA through Medicaid expansion and approving a health care exchange that will launch in 2021, which will save taxpayer dollars and reduce premium costs.
The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus is committed to preserving access to health care in the commonwealth and recently held an Affordable Care Act Enrollment Tour across Pennsylvania. Hundreds of our people were able to sign up for quality, affordable health care. You can see the positive impact of those tour stops at healthcareforpa.com, including Senator Hughes’ tour stop in his district.