Erie County Times

It has been 12 years since President Barack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, and in celebration Gov. Tom Wolf praised how it has helped accessibility to healthcare across the nation and in the Quaker State.

In February 2015, Wolf expanded Medical Assistance eligibility requirements statewide to make sure that residents had affordable, straightforward, accessible health care, a release by the governor's office said this week. Approximately 3.3 million Pennsylvanians are covered with Medical Assistance, and 1 million people enrolled due to the expansion.

"The ACA significantly changed an individual's access to health insurance across the country and specifically here in Pennsylvania," Wolf said in the release. "The anniversary of the ACA is a time we can reflect on the great strides we've made in the commonwealth to ensure all Pennsylvanians have access to quality, affordable health care. The progress we have made due to the ACA has been remarkable as we've seen the lowest uninsured rate in Pennsylvania history realized by Medicaid expansion and the creation of the commonwealth's very own health insurance marketplace, Pennie. Our low uninsured rate means that Pennsylvanians aren't having to choose between getting the health care they deserve and putting food on their tables. I am proud of the work my administration has done to make that a reality."

Acting Insurance Commissioner Mike Humphreys said in the release that Pennsylvania residents now have greater access without having to worry about whether preexisting conditions limit coverage. Additionally, he noted that ACA has helped millions of Americans get coverage, which has saved thousands of lives and strengthened the health care system; commenting also that the state is better off for having ACA.

"The essential health benefits guaranteed through the ACA, including preventative and ambulatory services, hospital care, prescription drug coverage, maternity and newborn care, mental health services, and others, have most certainly had a positive impact on the well-being of Pennsylvania families," Humphreys said.

In July 2019 Wolf signed legislation that established Pennie, which is the state's marketplace—replacing healthcare.gov—for people to shop for health insurance plans, the release said. It is the only source for financial assistance for coverage and currently provides insurance for nearly 375,000 residents. Approximately 90% of those customers receive financial assistance.

Pennie Executive Director Zachary W. Sherman said that ACA has made access affordable for thousands of Pennsylvania residents, and with the American Rescue Plan it also provides stability and peace of mind for residents.

"The ACA's consumer protections, comprehensive benefits and financial assistance deliver a healthier and more stable future for millions of families across the commonwealth and country," he said in the release.