Democrats Thankful For Biden Healthcare Fix, as Barack Obama Returns to the White House
New executive order said to help at least 1 million Americans
Democrats expressed thanks Tuesday for President Biden implementing a fix for the so-called “family glitch” which made it difficult for many American families to secure affordable health coverage under the 2010 healthcare reform law commonly known as “Obamacare.”
Indeed, the law’s unofficial namesake — former president Barack Obama — returned to the White House for the first time since leaving office, in order to mark the occasion.
“Once today's proposed rule is finalized, starting next year, working families in America will get the help they need to afford full family coverage,” Biden said, with Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, and happy Democrats looking on.
Obama mused back to the difficult passage of the healthcare law — officially known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — 12 years ago.
“I intended to get health care passed even if it cost me re-election, which for awhile looked like it might,” Obama said.
Even as a number of Democrats cheered Tuesday's action, they saw it as only one more steppingstone towards a more-universal health plan known as “Medicare for All.”
“I applaud the administration's decision to fix the 'family glitch' and ensure the ACA keeps coverage affordable for the 5.1 million people affected by this rule. Now we must continue the fight for Medicare for All and make sure that everyone gets the care they need,” Sen Ed Markey (D-Mass) tweeted.
The healthcare fix Biden implemented Tuesday has been on the “to-do” list for progressive Democrats, according to Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash), chair of the House Progressive Caucus.
“Today's action will expand health care coverage to millions of people across this country. Let's keep up this work to lower costs and raise wages,” she tweeted.
Rep Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) recalled how close the entire healthcare reform law came to being repealed under Republicans and the president sandwiched between Obama and Biden: Donald Trump.
“In 2017, the Affordable Care Act came within one Senate vote of being repealed. Today, thanks to your votes at the ballot box, its protections remain firmly in place. I joined Presidents Biden and Obama at the White House today to mark this progress and announce more,” he tweeted.
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