Here's what Republicans are threatening to repeal during Congress’ first days back in session in January.
The Affordable Care Act’s historic expansion of health insurance coverage has brought medical care within reach of millions of Americans who previously couldn’t afford it, new research shows.
The share of adults who skipped medical care because of costs dropped by nearly one-fifth between 2013 and 2015, according to a report from the Commonwealth Fund.
The gains were even more dramatic in the states that have most expanded coverage through the federal healthcare law, often called Obamacare.
“The Affordable Care Act’s health insurance coverage expansions are working to get people covered and help them afford healthcare,” said Sara Collins, vice president of the fund, a New York-based foundation that studies healthcare systems around the world.
“We know that health insurance is essential for people to get the care they need,” Collins said. “In this time of uncertainty about the ACA, it’s important to keep in mind the financial and health protection health insurance provides for families.”
Even people who stupidly voted for Trump know that the ACA is essential for their financial and physical health. Too bad they were only hearing the "make America white" again message he was sending, and ignored that "I'm going to repeal Obamacare" part.
In 2013, 16 percent of adults reported that they had skipped going to a doctor because of costs. That was down to 13 percent last year. That's a pretty big reduction in just two years’ time. There was a 7 percent drop in people reporting they couldn't afford care—from 19 to 12—in Kentucky, the state that had the most success in decreasing the number of uninsured. States that didn't expand Medicaid, though, continued to lag: "In Mississippi, 19% of adults reported skipping care in 2015 because of cost. In Texas, it was 18%. And in Alabama and Florida, the rate was 17%."
But now, thanks to Republicans, all the rest of the states are going to be like Mississippi again.