WASHINGTON - June 21 - The League of Women Voters of the United States today reinforced the organization’s strong support for the recently passed, comprehensive Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

“While we do support and have always supported a single payer system, we recognize that the recently passed bill is strong reform and will make important changes to protect consumers, extend coverage to the underserved, and reduce costs over the long term,” said Elisabeth MacNamara, national President of the League of Women Voters.

“Congress and the President deserve our thanks and appreciation for enacting this historic legislation,” MacNamara stated.  “The League’s national convention support of “Medicare for All” is not a repudiation of the very important and comprehensive Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.”

“We all recognize that more needs to be done, but we must understand how good this bill is and how much this does for Americans,” MacNamara concluded. At the League’s 2010 National Convention, members adopted a resolution urging the Board of Directors to push for consolidating the gains of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by continuing to work for the ultimate goal of universal access to affordable health care for all citizens.