Supporters of Medicare for All demonstrate outside of the Charleston Gaillard Center in South Carolina on February 25, 2020. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Mar 23, 2022
Progressives on Wednesday marked the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act by praising the landmark legislation while calling for the implementation of Medicare for All in order to ensure that everyone in the United States receives the healthcare coverage they need.
"Millions remain uninsured, and that's unacceptable. Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. The next step is Medicare for All."
While President Joe Biden hailed the anniversary by nebulously vowing his administration "will keep fighting to lower costs and further expand health coverage," progressives offered a concrete solution.
"Today we celebrate 12 years of the Affordable Care Act, a monumental law that has helped more than 400,000 people in Massachusetts get the healthcare they need," tweeted Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). "Our mission now is to secure universal healthcare for the millions of still uninsured Americans with Medicare for All."
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) called the ACA--popularly called Obamacare--"the start of securing healthcare as a right and not a privilege in this country."
"To finish this though, we need to go further," she added. "We need #MedicareForAll."
\u201cIn the 12 years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, millions have been covered and lives have been saved. \n\nHealthcare is a right, and we must continue working to see that it\u2019s guaranteed for all.\u201d— Rep. Mark Pocan (@Rep. Mark Pocan) 1648044214
Before the ACA, it was estimated that 45,000 Americans died each year because they lacked access to healthcare. While the ACA has dramatically reduced that number, a 2020 analysis by researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health estimated that as many as 25,180 Americans died after losing healthcare coverage amid Obamacare cuts carried out by the administration of former President Donald Trump.
While praising the ACA for "expanding healthcare access to millions of Americans," Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) noted that "millions remain uninsured, and that's unacceptable."
"Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege, she tweeted. "The next step is Medicare for All."
\u201cToday marks 12 years since the ACA was signed into law. \n\nIt was a major step forward \u2014 however, for too many health care is still unaffordable \u2014 it's time to take the next step and ensure health care as a human right. It's time for Medicare for All.\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1648045800
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) noted that even though the ACA has greatly expanded healthcare access and reduced costs for many people, "Americans spend on average more than $12,500 on medical expenses every year" when including deductibles and premiums.
"The ACA guaranteed that millions could access healthcare," she tweeted. "Now it's time for us to cut costs and provide truly affordable care for people across this country."
\u201cToday is the 12 year anniversary of the ACA and medical bills are still the number one cause of bankruptcies.\u201d— March for Medicare for All (@March for Medicare for All) 1648056534
The Working Families Party (WFP) tweeted that thanks to the ACA, "millions of people have received life-changing and lifesaving care, and folks with preexisting conditions are protected from discrimination by insurance companies."
"But we can't lose sight of the pain and stress still caused by the U.S. healthcare system," WFP continued. "The American people are in $140 billion dollars of medical debt, with an estimated 31.2 million people having no insurance at all. That's unacceptable."
\u201cImagine a world where the only thing you have to focus on is getting the best care for you and your loved ones. That world is possible.\n\nIf you're ready for free, universal health care in this country, join us: https://t.co/kE0E5uB9I7 (4/4)\u201d— Working Families Party \ud83d\udc3a (@Working Families Party \ud83d\udc3a) 1648062545
The advocacy group Social Security Works tweeted: "Everyone deserves to live and retire in dignity. That's why it's past time to expand our Social Security system, improve Medicare and expand it to cover everyone, and lower drug prescription prices."
Earlier this week, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted he will "soon be reintroducing" a Medicare for All bill.
"In the midst of the current set of horrors--war, oligarchy, pandemics, inflation, climate change, etc.," the democratic socialist senator said, "we must continue the fight to establish healthcare as a human right, not a privilege."
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
healthcareworking families partyrights & justiceaffordable care actjoe bidened markeynydia velazquezpramila jayapalmedicare for allsocial security worksbernie sanders
Progressives on Wednesday marked the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act by praising the landmark legislation while calling for the implementation of Medicare for All in order to ensure that everyone in the United States receives the healthcare coverage they need.
"Millions remain uninsured, and that's unacceptable. Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. The next step is Medicare for All."
While President Joe Biden hailed the anniversary by nebulously vowing his administration "will keep fighting to lower costs and further expand health coverage," progressives offered a concrete solution.
"Today we celebrate 12 years of the Affordable Care Act, a monumental law that has helped more than 400,000 people in Massachusetts get the healthcare they need," tweeted Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). "Our mission now is to secure universal healthcare for the millions of still uninsured Americans with Medicare for All."
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) called the ACA--popularly called Obamacare--"the start of securing healthcare as a right and not a privilege in this country."
"To finish this though, we need to go further," she added. "We need #MedicareForAll."
\u201cIn the 12 years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, millions have been covered and lives have been saved. \n\nHealthcare is a right, and we must continue working to see that it\u2019s guaranteed for all.\u201d— Rep. Mark Pocan (@Rep. Mark Pocan) 1648044214
Before the ACA, it was estimated that 45,000 Americans died each year because they lacked access to healthcare. While the ACA has dramatically reduced that number, a 2020 analysis by researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health estimated that as many as 25,180 Americans died after losing healthcare coverage amid Obamacare cuts carried out by the administration of former President Donald Trump.
While praising the ACA for "expanding healthcare access to millions of Americans," Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) noted that "millions remain uninsured, and that's unacceptable."
"Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege, she tweeted. "The next step is Medicare for All."
\u201cToday marks 12 years since the ACA was signed into law. \n\nIt was a major step forward \u2014 however, for too many health care is still unaffordable \u2014 it's time to take the next step and ensure health care as a human right. It's time for Medicare for All.\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1648045800
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) noted that even though the ACA has greatly expanded healthcare access and reduced costs for many people, "Americans spend on average more than $12,500 on medical expenses every year" when including deductibles and premiums.
"The ACA guaranteed that millions could access healthcare," she tweeted. "Now it's time for us to cut costs and provide truly affordable care for people across this country."
\u201cToday is the 12 year anniversary of the ACA and medical bills are still the number one cause of bankruptcies.\u201d— March for Medicare for All (@March for Medicare for All) 1648056534
The Working Families Party (WFP) tweeted that thanks to the ACA, "millions of people have received life-changing and lifesaving care, and folks with preexisting conditions are protected from discrimination by insurance companies."
"But we can't lose sight of the pain and stress still caused by the U.S. healthcare system," WFP continued. "The American people are in $140 billion dollars of medical debt, with an estimated 31.2 million people having no insurance at all. That's unacceptable."
\u201cImagine a world where the only thing you have to focus on is getting the best care for you and your loved ones. That world is possible.\n\nIf you're ready for free, universal health care in this country, join us: https://t.co/kE0E5uB9I7 (4/4)\u201d— Working Families Party \ud83d\udc3a (@Working Families Party \ud83d\udc3a) 1648062545
The advocacy group Social Security Works tweeted: "Everyone deserves to live and retire in dignity. That's why it's past time to expand our Social Security system, improve Medicare and expand it to cover everyone, and lower drug prescription prices."
Earlier this week, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted he will "soon be reintroducing" a Medicare for All bill.
"In the midst of the current set of horrors--war, oligarchy, pandemics, inflation, climate change, etc.," the democratic socialist senator said, "we must continue the fight to establish healthcare as a human right, not a privilege."
Progressives on Wednesday marked the 12th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act by praising the landmark legislation while calling for the implementation of Medicare for All in order to ensure that everyone in the United States receives the healthcare coverage they need.
"Millions remain uninsured, and that's unacceptable. Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege. The next step is Medicare for All."
While President Joe Biden hailed the anniversary by nebulously vowing his administration "will keep fighting to lower costs and further expand health coverage," progressives offered a concrete solution.
"Today we celebrate 12 years of the Affordable Care Act, a monumental law that has helped more than 400,000 people in Massachusetts get the healthcare they need," tweeted Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). "Our mission now is to secure universal healthcare for the millions of still uninsured Americans with Medicare for All."
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) called the ACA--popularly called Obamacare--"the start of securing healthcare as a right and not a privilege in this country."
"To finish this though, we need to go further," she added. "We need #MedicareForAll."
\u201cIn the 12 years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, millions have been covered and lives have been saved. \n\nHealthcare is a right, and we must continue working to see that it\u2019s guaranteed for all.\u201d— Rep. Mark Pocan (@Rep. Mark Pocan) 1648044214
Before the ACA, it was estimated that 45,000 Americans died each year because they lacked access to healthcare. While the ACA has dramatically reduced that number, a 2020 analysis by researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health estimated that as many as 25,180 Americans died after losing healthcare coverage amid Obamacare cuts carried out by the administration of former President Donald Trump.
While praising the ACA for "expanding healthcare access to millions of Americans," Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.) noted that "millions remain uninsured, and that's unacceptable."
"Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege, she tweeted. "The next step is Medicare for All."
\u201cToday marks 12 years since the ACA was signed into law. \n\nIt was a major step forward \u2014 however, for too many health care is still unaffordable \u2014 it's time to take the next step and ensure health care as a human right. It's time for Medicare for All.\u201d— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1648045800
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) noted that even though the ACA has greatly expanded healthcare access and reduced costs for many people, "Americans spend on average more than $12,500 on medical expenses every year" when including deductibles and premiums.
"The ACA guaranteed that millions could access healthcare," she tweeted. "Now it's time for us to cut costs and provide truly affordable care for people across this country."
\u201cToday is the 12 year anniversary of the ACA and medical bills are still the number one cause of bankruptcies.\u201d— March for Medicare for All (@March for Medicare for All) 1648056534
The Working Families Party (WFP) tweeted that thanks to the ACA, "millions of people have received life-changing and lifesaving care, and folks with preexisting conditions are protected from discrimination by insurance companies."
"But we can't lose sight of the pain and stress still caused by the U.S. healthcare system," WFP continued. "The American people are in $140 billion dollars of medical debt, with an estimated 31.2 million people having no insurance at all. That's unacceptable."
\u201cImagine a world where the only thing you have to focus on is getting the best care for you and your loved ones. That world is possible.\n\nIf you're ready for free, universal health care in this country, join us: https://t.co/kE0E5uB9I7 (4/4)\u201d— Working Families Party \ud83d\udc3a (@Working Families Party \ud83d\udc3a) 1648062545
The advocacy group Social Security Works tweeted: "Everyone deserves to live and retire in dignity. That's why it's past time to expand our Social Security system, improve Medicare and expand it to cover everyone, and lower drug prescription prices."
Earlier this week, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) tweeted he will "soon be reintroducing" a Medicare for All bill.
"In the midst of the current set of horrors--war, oligarchy, pandemics, inflation, climate change, etc.," the democratic socialist senator said, "we must continue the fight to establish healthcare as a human right, not a privilege."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.