Release: “Americans have always cared about their health — the ACA just made prioritizing it possible,” Get America Covered Executive Director on the 1 million Americans now insured under the ACA’s special enrollment period
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT
Claire Murchison
“Americans have always cared about their health — the ACA just made prioritizing it possible,” Get America Covered Executive Director on the 1 million Americans now insured under the ACA’s special enrollment period
DENVER — Today, Get America Covered Executive Director and stage-4 cancer survivor Laura Packard released a statement in response to the news that over 1 million Americans now have health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act’s special enrollment period:
“Paired with President Biden’s American Rescue plan which significantly reduced health insurance premiums and made coverage more affordable for millions of under- and uninsured Americans, the ACA’s special enrollment period has been wildly — yet unsurprisingly — popular throughout the country.
I know firsthand that quality, affordable health insurance can be the difference between life and death. Four years ago, I was just another successful and healthy small business owner until I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. I am incredibly grateful to have had a health insurance plan through the ACA exchange. Prior to the ACA, I had junk insurance. If I still had that insurance at the time of my diagnosis, I would be bankrupt or dead. No one should ever have to choose between their health and their finances, and by signing up for insurance under the ACA, we no longer have to.
Through this legislation and President Biden’s continued commitment to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable, quality care, I’m hopeful that the enrollment numbers will keep rising, and that the additional subsidies introduced temporarily will become permanent fixtures in our health care system. By expanding these critical provisions, millions priced out of health insurance today can gain the coverage they need.”
Laura Packard is the executive director of Get America Covered, founder of Health Care Voices, and a stage IV cancer survivor. The Affordable Care Act saved her life. In August, Laura shared her health care journey with Joe Biden on a panel at the DNC. If you’re interested in speaking with Laura Packard about Biden’s first 100 days and upcoming health care provisions in the infrastructure bills, please reach out to claire@firesidecampaigns.com.
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