President Obama's White House homecoming had comedy, acquaintances, and talk of The Affordable Care Act (ACA) which, twelve years ago, his administration passed with enough bipartisan support to become the 'most consequential' U.S. healthcare legislation in generations.
His return (aside from jokingly calling President Biden, Vice President) had more to do with appealing to Congress to lower health insurance premiums and extend the ACA.
"And today, today, the Biden-Harris administration is going even further by moving to fix a glitch in the regulations that will lower premiums for nearly 1 million people who need it and allow 200,000 more uninsured Americans get access to coverage", said Obama.
Yet, there are states that refuse to extend ACA-supported Medicare benefits and subsidies.
SEE: STATES WITH EXPANSION ACTIVITY
Vice President Kamala Harris, women's history maker in her own right, appealed to Congress in this way, citing what could happen to women without necessary healthcare coverage.
"Women who do not have healthcare coverage are, therefore, less likely to have access during pregnancy, or before or after, to pelvic exams or vaccinations, prenatal check-ups, postpartum depression screenings, and all the other essential care they need to be safe and healthy before, during, and after birth. We know that expanding Medicaid coverage significantly reduces the number of mothers who die as a result of pregnancy. (Applause.) So the sooner coverage is expanded in those 12 states, the more lives we will save", she said.
President Biden signed an executive order that directs federal agencies to expand quality and affordable healthcare coverage. The coverage is intended to make it easier for people to enroll in and keep their coverage; help people better understand their coverage options and pick the best option for them.
HEALTH NOTE: CONGRESS MEMBERS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19
Biden said his administration is "taking steps to strengthen benefits, lower costs, and expand eligibility; protecting Americans from low-quality coverage that can lead to a mountain of medical debt and to fix 'a family glitch' that would begin in 2023.
"Under the current rules, a working mom is told: As long as she can afford employer-based coverage for herself, she can’t qualify for premium subsidies to afford coverage for her family. It’ll cover her, but not her family", said President Biden. "But we’re going to change that. Once today’s proposed rule is finalized, starting next year, working families in America will get the help they need to afford full family coverage -- everyone in the family."
Notwithstanding Republican opposition, president Biden stated their relentless attacks on ACA.
"Mr. President, since you signed the law, they haven't stopped for one second", said Biden. "Multiple court challenges, you mentioned. Sabotage from the previous administration. Over 70 attempts to repeal the law by Republicans in Congress."
"Well, I got a better idea", said President Biden. "Instead of destroying the Affordable Care Act, let's keep building on it. Let's extend it. Extend. And now I'm going to sign an executive order."
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