FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Vincent DeMarco
March 23, 2024 410-591-9162
On the 14th anniversary of passage of the Affordable Care Act, the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition applauds the Moore Miller Administration and the Maryland General Assembly for fully implementing and building on this historic law to strengthen the state’s health care system and expand access to care.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) has expanded health coverage to more than 40 million Americans. Maryland has been among the states that have fully implement this law by expanding Medicaid eligibility, creating a reinsurance program, offering additional subsidies to make coverage more affordable, and experimenting with enrollment and plan design and other initiatives to offer the best value and streamlined enrollment for Marylanders seeking coverage. President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act extends subsidies to make coverage in the Exchange even more affordable. As a result, Maryland’s uninsured rate dropped by more than 50 percent.
The ACA has been an important tool for Maryland’s efforts to promote more equitable health care coverage and access. According to the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange, the number of individuals who self-identified as Black on their enrollment applications increased by nearly 33% to 41,611. Enrollment by Hispanic residents grew by nearly 30% to 28,701. It grew even more among Black young adults 18-34, up 46% in one year, and Hispanic young adults 18-34, up 50% in one year. Those populations have historically and disproportionately lacked health insurance, but because of the ACA, are gaining access to quality, affordable health care.
The Maryland General Assembly will soon pass the Access to Care Act that would have the state apply for a waiver to allow any Marylander to purchase coverage in the Maryland Health Connection. This measure could further reduce the state’s uninsured rate, reduce disparities in coverage and advance health equity.
The Maryland Health Care for All Coalition will celebrate this milestone with the Maryland Health Connection’s Michele Eberle who will speak at Money Power Day on Saturday March 23, 2024 to celebrate this milestone and raise awareness about free and low-cost coverage options available to uninsured Marylanders. Uninsured Marylanders can check the Easy Enrollment box on state income taxes to initiate enrollment into free and low cost health care coverage.
“The Affordable Care Act has been enormously successful across the nation and in Maryland, driving down the number of people without health insurance dramatically and strengthening our system so more people are receiving the high-quality care they need to lead healthy lives,” said MCHI President Vincent DeMarco. “As we mark the 14th anniversary of the ACA, we are grateful for the leadership of the Moore Miller Administration and the Maryland General Assembly to build on the ACA to make coverage even more equitable, accessible and affordable. We remain committed to working in partnership to ultimately expand health coverage to thousands of additional Marylanders who are eligible for free or low-cost health coverage but not now enrolled.”
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Last modified: March 22, 2024
