WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: On Anniversary of Affordable Care Act, Democratic State Party Leaders Across the Country Call Out Republicans for Pushing to Raise Health Care Costs

On today’s anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) being signed into law, Democratic state party leaders across the country are highlighting how the historic law has helped to cut health care costs and increase coverage for people in their states – and how Republicans are pushing an agenda that would gut coverage, make health care more expensive, and do nothing to lower drug costs for the American people.

Here’s a look at what Democratic state party leaders across the country are saying on this ACA anniversary:

• In Georgia:“Twelve years ago today, Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act amid unprecedented Republican opposition – drastically reducing our state’s uninsured rate, improving coverage, and protecting Georgians with preexisting conditions. Over a decade later, Georgia Democrats are still leading the fight to expand access to affordable health care for all Georgians, regardless of income, background, or zipcode,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia.
• In Wisconsin:“Twelve years ago, despite massive Republican opposition, Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act and delivered a major win for Wisconsin’s working families – without the support of a single Wisconsin Republican. And now, over a decade later, Ron Johnson and the GOP are still running on an agenda that would hike taxes and strip away health care coverage from families across the state,” said Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler.
• In New Hampshire: “While Democrats are still fighting to lower costs for families, Republicans are still running on an agenda of higher premiums and reduced health care options for Granite Staters. When Democrats in Washington, like then-Vice President Joe Biden and President Obama, were delivering for Americans, Republicans were obstructing at every opportunity. Now, President Joe Biden, alongside our congressional delegation in Washington, are fighting back against the GOP’s harmful agenda that would raise premiums and restrict access to affordable health care,” said NHDP Chair Ray Buckley.
• In Michigan:“Twelve years ago today, Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act amid unprecedented Republican obstruction, helping lower costs and make health care affordable for millions of Michiganders. Today, President Biden and Democrats in Congress are still laser-focused on lowering health care costs, while Republicans remain committed to raising costs for workers and families,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes.
• In Indiana:“Twelve years ago, Indiana Democrats delivered a transformational law that secured health care for Hoosiers who either could not afford it or were denied coverage because of age or something as simple as having a preexisting condition. Some of our elected leaders were ready to put their jobs on the line – and did so – to make the Affordable Care Act a reality for the Hoosier State,” said Mike Schmuhl, Chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party. “Ever since its passage, Democrats have looked for ways to strengthen our nation’s health care system – even if politicians from across the aisle manufacture a decade-long culture war to repeal this once-in-a-generation investment.”
• In Illinois:“Twelve years ago today, President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law amid unprecedented Republican opposition,” said Rep. Robin Kelly, Chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. “Since then, Illinois Democrats have built on the progress of the ACA by expanding health care access and lowering costs for 323,000 Illinoisans with the American Rescue Plan, a move that Republicans unanimously opposed. The contrast could not be more clear: While Democrats are still fighting to lower costs for families, Republicans are still running on an agenda of higher premiums and reduced health care options for Illinoisans.”
• In Ohio:“As Democrats are laser-focused on expanding health care coverage and lowering costs, Ohio Republicans – from the congressional delegation, to the millionaires running for U.S. Senate, and to Mike DeWine – have opposed these efforts at the behest of the big corporations that fund their campaigns and the expense of the Ohio families they swore to represent. As Republicans are hellbent on fighting for higher medical bills and undermining protections for preexisting conditions, Ohioans know that they can trust Democrats to keep fighting for affordable health care and protections for those with preexisting conditions,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters.
• In Montana:“Access to affordable, quality health care is so critical for Montana families and businesses. Montana Democrats have spent more than a decade fighting, protecting, and expanding health care. And we’re not stopping now,” said Sheila Hogan, Executive Director of the Montana Democratic Party.
• In Minnesota:“Twelve years ago, Democrats signed the Affordable Care Act into law, expanding health care coverage and lowering costs for millions of Americans,” said DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin. “Last year, Democrats built on that success by passing the American Rescue Plan and cutting costs even further for Minnesotans. While Republicans continue trying to cut health care coverage for millions, Democrats are working to lower the cost of prescription drugs…The contrast between our two parties could not be more clear.”
• In Kansas:“The time to expand Medicaid here in Kansas is long overdue,” said Kansas Democratic Party Chairwoman Vicki Hiatt. “Thirty-eight other states — led by both Republicans and Democrats — have expanded Medicaid, including our neighbors,Missouri and Oklahoma. Hardworking Kansans are being left behind while Kansas Republicans play games with their health care. On the anniversary of the ACA, it’s our hope that the legislature does right by working Kansans once and for all by expanding Medicaid.”
• In Maryland:“While Democrats are still fighting to lower costs for families, Republicans are still running on an agenda of higher premiums and reduced health care options for Marylanders,” said Maryland Democratic Party Chair Yvette Lewis.
• In Missouri:“The ACA brought hope to so many Americans, and the ARP is a promise to build on that success. Missourians have an obstacle though – the Republican led State Legislature. For two years they have fought tooth and nail to withhold funding for Medicaid Expansion, even after court decisions demanding otherwise. Missourians are not receiving the level of care they deserve or were even promised,” said Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Randy Dunn.
• In Virginia: “Twelve years ago today, Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act amid unprecedented Republican opposition. Since then, Democrats have built on the progress of the ACA by expanding health care access and lowering costs for Virginians with the American Rescue Plan, a move that Republicans unanimously opposed,” said DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker.