President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the Affordable Care Act during a statement in the Rose Garden of the White House, Oct. 21, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
In the last three weeks, the health insurance marketplaces opened for business across the country. This was great news for the 15 percent of Americans – including 10.2 million Latinos – who don’t have health insurance, either because they can’t afford it or because their employer doesn’t offer it. At an event at the Rose Garden on Monday, the President discussed how the health care law is strengthening health plans and coverage for Americans. He was joined by consumers, small business owners, and pharmacists who have either benefitted from the health care law already or are helping consumers learn about what the law means for them and how they can get covered.
Among those participating in the event was Jessica Ugalde. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Jessica was able to stay on her mother’s insurance and receive treatment for a serious illness. Before health reform was enacted, recent college graduates like Jessica would have lost their health insurance when they left home or graduated from school. Young people in their first job were often forced to choose between paying their rent or maintaining their health insurance. The ACA changed this, by allowing young adults to be on their parents’ plan until age 26. This policy has already benefitted 913,000 Latino young adults who otherwise would have been uninsured. Because of the provision of the ACA that allows young people under the age of 26 to stay on a parent’s insurance, Jessica received the treatment she needed, quickly got better and was able to interview for a job which she still holds today.
Fonte: White House