|
Today marks five years since 11-year-old Marcelas Owens and I watched the President sign the Affordable Care Act into law.
Marcelas lost his mom to an illness when he was a younger boy. She didn't have insurance, so she couldn't afford the care that she needed. No family -- no child -- in America should have to go through what his family has experienced.
That's why we fought so hard for this reform bill. That's why the President -- whose own mother argued with insurance companies in her final days as she battled cancer -- signed this bill into law.
And that's worth remembering today.
I sat down to reflect on that day, and what's happened since then. Have a listen, and then pass this on to anyone you think needs to hear it.
Today, Marcelas Owens is 16 years old. He's still honoring his mother's life by spreading the word about the Affordable Care Act. And as for the rest of the country, five years later, here's what we know:
More than 16 million Americans have gained health insurance.
76 million Americans are benefiting from preventive care coverage.
And up to 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions are no longer at risk of being denied coverage.
I'm proud of that. The President is proud of that. I know Marcelas is proud of that.
And if you are too, then take a listen and then pass this on to someone today.
When you do, remind them of the progress we've made. Remind them of what we've got left to do.
Thank you,
Joe
Vice President Joe Biden
|
