July 24, 2013

Rep. Takano Highlights Benefits Residents in Inland Empire Receiving from Affordable Care Act

Washington DC – Earlier today, Rep. Mark Takano (D-Riverside) released information that detailed the benefits thousands of residents in California’s 41^st Congressional District are receiving from the Affordable Care Act, which House Republicans voted to undermine for the 38^th time last week.

“Three years have passed since the Affordable Care Act became law and despite Republican attempts to chip away at it, its benefits are beginning to take effect for residents in the Inland Empire,” Rep. Takano said. “Thousands of young adults have health insurance through their parents’ plan, over 50,000 senior citizens are eligible for free Medicare preventative services, and tens of thousands of children in the Inland Empire can no longer be denied coverage for preexisting conditions. This law is doing what it was designed to do and as the rollout continues, I look forward to its continued benefits for residents in the 41^st Congressional District.”

The analysis of the 41^st Congressional District was prepared by the Minority staff of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and stated the Affordable Care Act has provided:

10,000 young adults in the district now have health insurance through their parents’ plan.
More than 2,700 seniors in the district received prescription drug discounts worth $2.7 million, an average discount of $430 per person in 2011, $500 in 2012, and $1,030 thus far in 2013.
53,000 seniors in the district are now eligible for Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible.
142,000 individuals in the district – including 35,000 children and 55,000 women – now have health insurance that covers preventive services without any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductible.
170,000 individuals in the district are saving money due to ACA provisions that prevent insurance companies from spending more than 20% of their premiums on profits and administrative overhead. Because of these protections, over 29,000 consumers in the district received approximately $2.2 million in insurance company rebates in 2012 and 2011 – an average rebate of $71 per family in 2012 and $65 per family in 2011.
Up to 51,000 children in the district with preexisting health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by health insurers.
181,000 individuals in the district now have insurance that cannot place lifetime limits on their coverage and will not face annual limits on coverage starting in 2014.
173,000 individuals in the district who lack health insurance will have access to quality, affordable coverage without fear of discrimination or higher rates because of a preexisting health condition. In addition, the 24,000 individuals who currently purchase private health insurance on the individual or small group market will have access to more secure, higher quality coverage and many will be eligible for financial assistance.

Rep. Takano will be holding a Town Hall meeting in August to inform residents on the changing health care system and the benefits from the Affordable Care Act.