We cannot get rid of the Affordable Care Act

I’ve been working in health care for more than 20 years. I’ve worked with Republicans and Democrats in Congress and in the administration, discussing why one health reform vision is better than another one. I remember the intimate details of Hillarycare, CHIP, the Medicare Modernization Act, and, of course, Obamacare.

What’s always the most interesting to me is that while the policies differ over time, the reason for these heated debates is almost always the same: We want everyone to have easy access to affordable health care. Sounds simple right?

Of course nothing is simple, especially health care.

Obamacare, also known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), was enacted 10 years ago, setting off sweeping reforms that impact everyone’s health coverage, no matter where they get their insurance. 

To put it gently, the law has had its fair share of ups and downs. Many of us working in health care during the launch (and crash) of the online marketplaces have very vivid memories of that time; I certainly do.

But so much good has come out of the law, like protections for those with pre-existing conditions, allowing our kids to be on their parent’s health insurance until they’re 26, and preventative care that’s available with no cost-sharing, so we can check in on our health without worrying about costs. These are things that we didn’t always have, and today the ACA is the base on which much of the entire health care system stands. In fact, more than 90% of Americans have health coverage through their jobs, the ACA, Medicare or Medicaid.

If the ACA has proven anything, it’s shown that it has the infrastructure we need to give this country the universal access to affordable health care we all deserve.

Under the ACA, nearly 20 million people have gained coverage, and all 50 states and DC have fewer uninsured people than before the law was in place. The insured rates among people of color have grown substantially. More insurers are entering the individual marketplaces again, leading to more choices and more affordable premiums, with average premiums falling by 1.5% in 2019 and 3.5% in 2020.

These numbers impact real people and real lives, and it’s a big deal. The ACA isn’t perfect, but it provides the foundation we need to build a stronger and more equitable health care system for all. We should enhance federal tax credits to help more people afford coverage, enact policies to further lower out-of-pocket costs, boost outreach and enrollment programs to encourage people to obtain and maintain insurance, and so much more.

While the U.S. Supreme Court is gearing up for oral arguments that hold the fate of this law in the balance, it’s my hope that the justices will not invalidate the ACA, especially in the midst of a global pandemic and a national economic crisis. The law is a critical lifeline for millions of the newly unemployed and their families, ensuring they still have access to quality and affordable health insurance coverage during the worst public health crisis we’ve seen in over 100 years. There’s no reason to strip the coverage and care the ACA provides to millions in this country, forcing us to start a new healthcare system from scratch. This would endanger the lives of our friends, family, colleagues and neighbors with pre-existing conditions.

Now is not the time to get rid of the Affordable Care Act. It’s the time to build on what we have.