Harkin: Today’s Enrollment Numbers Show the Affordable Care Act is Working

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today released the following statement on the news that eight million Americans have enrolled in quality, affordable health coverage through the federal and state Marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As Chairman of the HELP Committee, Harkin played a pivotal role in the passage of the ACA. 

“Today’s enrollment numbers add to a growing list of evidence that clearly demonstrates that the Affordable Care Act is achieving its goal – helping millions of Americans access quality, affordable health care for themselves and their families,” Harkin said. “Of the eight million Americans who have gained access through the federal and state Marketplaces, 35 percent are under the age of 35, proving that young people are just as encouraged by the promise of this new law.  The fact is, Americans in Iowa and around the country are seeing firsthand how the Affordable Care Act is helping them and their families. Now is the time for us to move beyond the Republican calls for repeal – which would take health insurance away from these Americans – and instead focus on ensuring that the law continues to fulfill its goal of helping Americans access the care they need.”   

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