The Affordable Care Act continues to bring historic advancement of health equity in Delaware 12 years after passing into law
March 24, 2022
The Affordable Care Act continues to bring historic advancement of health equity in Delaware 12 years after passing into law
WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Westside Family Healthcare, a Delaware Federally Qualified Health Center, hosted a roundtable discussion celebrating the 12th anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) at its Wilmington location. Participants included Acting Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region 3 Melissa Herd, Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), representation for Senator Thomas Carper, HRSA Regional Director Leah Suter, Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro, Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Director of Health Care Reform Steven Costantino, Westside Family Healthcare President & CEO Lolita Lopez, Westside Family Healthcare COO Chris Fraser, Westside Family Healthcare Navigator team, and Delawareans enrolled in coverage through the Marketplace. Twelve years after its passage, the Affordable Care Act continues to help Americans sign up for affordable insurance each year including tens of thousands of Delawareans.
“No parent should have to choose between putting food on the table or securing life-saving care for the family. The Biden-Harris Administration has been laser-focused on making health care more accessible and affordable than ever before. We know this has been a tough time for a lot of people and want to make sure the door is always open for them to sign up for coverage. We will continue to ensure health care is within reach for all those who need it,” U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
“The Affordable Care Act has been a lifechanging and lifesaving law that helps millions of Americans signup for healthcare each year,” said Congresswoman Blunt Rochester. “Having quality, affordable health care impacts every Delaware family. Now, we have the opportunity to build on the success of the ACA over the last 12 years to continue making health care accessible and affordable to everyone. Thank you to Westside Family Healthcare for hosting this roundtable to celebrate this historic law and thank you the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Biden Administration for all they are doing to lower health care costs and expand access.”
“The Affordable Care Act has helped to reform our health care system and has transformed the lives of millions of Americans. In the twelve years since its enactment, over 30 million Americans — including nearly 35,000 Delawareans — have gained quality, affordable health insurance thanks to the ACA,” Senator Thomas Carper said. “Community health centers in Delaware, like Westside, have been critical in ensuring that individuals and families have access and sign-up for health care. With President Biden in the White House, I am confident we will continue to build on the ACA’s success until every American has the affordable coverage that they need.”
“Since 2013, Westside has helped thousands of Delawareans who live in underserved communities enroll in health insurance coverage across the state,” said Lolita Lopez, Westside Family Healthcare President & CEO. “With persistence and empathy, Westside’s navigators work tirelessly to meet our neighbors where they live and work breaking down barriers to care. We are grateful to the Biden-Harris Administration for increasing the investment in health centers and the navigator program to ensure all Americans have access to in-person assistance when and where they need it.”
About the Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Since its enactment on March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to a historic advancement of health equity in the United States. This landmark law improved the health of all Americans, including women and families, children, older adults, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ and communities of color, providing health coverage access to millions more Americans and over 32,000 Delawareans. Since the ACA’s inception, Westside Family Healthcare has had a robust Marketplace Navigator program to help consumers look for health coverage options and complete eligibility and enrollment forms. The services are free, unbiased, and available for anyone who lives in Delaware.
Delaware has been a supporter of the law signing enabling legislation to create a reinsurance program in Delaware to reduce premiums in 2019 and receiving CMS funding improve access to marketplace health insurance coverage in 2021. Since 2010, Westside has been an active stakeholder working on implementation with the Delaware Health Care Commission and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS). Westside executed a statewide outreach and enrollment program and expanded staff capacity to provide enrollment assistance statewide in underserved communities. Enrollees on Delaware’s marketplace are eligible for financial assistance which helps reduce monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. The ACA is the largest health care reform since Medicare in 1965.
About Westside Family Healthcare
Westside Family Healthcare is a Joint Commission Accredited non-profit community health system with locations currently in Wilmington, Northeast Wilmington, Newark, Bear/New Castle, and Dover providing care to 28,031 patients through 113,155 visits in 2021. Westside is the largest community health system in the state, providing family medical, dental, prenatal, and behavioral health services, regardless of ability to pay. Thirty-one percent of Westside Family Healthcare’s budget in 2021 comprised of Federal funds. Care is provided for all individuals, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Since March, Westside has been on the front lines responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency, supporting population health. Learn more about Westside at www.westsidehealth.org.
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