Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 | 2 a.m.
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As a breast cancer survivor and small-business owner, I know firsthand the importance of affordable health care. And as a legislator and member of the Assembly Health and Human Services committee, I frequently hear stories from Nevadans of all backgrounds struggling to access health coverage that fits their needs and budget.
Thankfully, the Biden administration and Democrats in Congress have made historic progress to lower health care costs for seniors and families. After years of working to lower costs, this year a record-breaking 21.3 million people signed up for a health plan through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace — over 9 million more than when President Joe Biden took office.
Last month, Nevada Health Link reported that more than 99,000 residents enrolled in affordable health insurance on our state marketplace — and about a quarter of those are new enrollees. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Biden and Democrats in Congress, 9 in 10 Nevadans get financial assistance to lower monthly premiums. Nationwide, millions of Americans get quality, affordable health care through the ACA at little to no cost, with 80% of enrollees finding coverage for $10 or less per month.
In addition to lowering health care premiums, Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act invests in outreach and education, with a focus on underserved communities. As we celebrate Black History Month, I’m especially grateful for Biden’s success in reducing health care costs and improving access for Black Americans.
Biden and Democrats across the country have also worked to expand postpartum health care coverage, make prescription drugs more affordable for families and those on Medicare, and ensure greater access to quality health care for Black families in Nevada and nationwide. Thanks to their investments, Nevada is planning to implement Medicaid coverage expansion for new mothers to one year postpartum, providing vital care for families and saving the lives of Black mothers. This extended coverage will help us make sure that all Nevada mothers, especially women of color who experience higher rates of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity than white women, can access continuous care and support.
While millions of people are now enjoying the peace of mind and access to care that comes with coverage, Republicans continue their war on health care. Donald Trump, who has all but secured the Republican nomination, is vowing to terminate the ACA if he is elected. We’ve seen this playbook before.
Trump and his MAGA allies are resurfacing a battle they lost in 2017 when they tried to repeal the ACA and its protections for people with preexisting conditions. Make no mistake: repealing the ACA would touch nearly every household in Nevada and across the country.
In addition to over 40 million Americans and 99,000 Nevadans losing affordable coverage, over 135 million Americans with preexisting conditions would lose critical protections, 50 million seniors would have to pay more for prescription drugs, and insurance companies could once again charge women higher premiums, impose annual and lifetime limits on benefits, and would not be required to cover preventive care, such as vaccinations, prenatal care, contraception and cancer screenings.
Trump and his MAGA Republican allies in Congress are also fighting to repeal the health care measures of the Inflation Reduction Act, including insulin price caps, and Medicare out-of-pocket cost caps, which would disproportionately harm Black families.
At a time when more people are relying on the ACA than ever before, Trump and his Republican allies in Congress are not backing down on their mission to destroy the ACA and give tax cuts and handouts to the ultra-wealthy.
The Biden administration and Democrats in Congress delivered real relief to the American people; we can’t go backwards. Democrats have been working to lock in the Inflation Reduction Act’s savings permanently so families can sleep easier at night knowing they can get the medical care they need without worrying about how they’re going to make ends meet. The law’s premium savings will continue through 2025, but if Congress doesn’t act to extend them, costs will skyrocket. Fortunately, Democrats in both the House and Senate have already introduced legislation to make these lower premiums permanent so Americans can rely on affordable coverage for decades to come.
We are at a crossroads on health care. As Americans enjoy new benefits, Democrats are focused on lowering costs and giving people peace of mind, but Republican lawmakers are threatening to repeal this hard-fought progress, hike insurance and drug prices, and repeal the ACA altogether. The record-breaking number of people covered by the ACA is proof that prioritizing health care and lowering costs is what Nevadans need.
Angie Taylor represents the 27th District (Washoe County) in the Nevada Assembly. She is also a candidate for State Senate District 15.
