Lowey: New Yorkers Benefit From Affordable Healthcare Act

While some of her colleagues in the House of Representatives seek to undermine the Affordable Health Care Act, Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Rockland, Northern and Central Westchester) says data shows the legislation has provided Americans with higher quality health care at lower prices.

“Since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, thousands of people in Westchester and Rockland counties have reaped the benefits of critical patient protections and savings,” said Lowey.

According to Lowey, the ACA has reduced health care premiums by 50 percent for New Yorkers who obtain insurance through an individual market.

New York State recently approved insurance plan rates for 17 insurers who offer coverage through the New York’s Health Benefits Exchange that was created as a result of ACA.

“The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is protecting patients and providing families the health care and economic security they deserve,” said Lowey. “The Republicans should end their three-year crusade to repeal and obstruct the Affordable Care Act.” 

An analysis by the House Energy and Commerce Committee Minority so that the ACA has provided New Yorkers with:

• coverage for 4,800 additional young adults by allowing parents to keep their children covered until their 26th birthday. 

• lower cost medication for 9,100 senior citizens and free preventative Medicare services for 107,000 senior citizens. 

• free preventative services for 210,000 individuals covered under private plans.

• savings in premiums for 225,000 individuals due to provisions that prevent insurers from spending more than 20 percent of premiums on profits and administrative overhead

• protections for up to 44,000 children with pre-existing conditions since the law prevents insurers from denying them coverage.

• elimination of lifetime limits on coverage

• access to quality and affordable health care for 82,000 uninsured individuals.

The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to provide an extension on the law’s mandate that all Americans require health insurance, according to USA Today. Opponents of the ACA say the law provides an incentive to employers to cut hours to avoid having to insure employees, as full-time workers are now those putting in 30 hours a week or more. Get the full story in USA Today.