The Affordable Care Act

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act.  As a member of House Democratic leadership, Congressman Becerra worked hard to make the dream of quality, affordable health care a reality for Americans families.

This legislation now:

• Prohibits health insurance companies from denying coverage of children based on pre-existing conditions;
• Eliminates lifetime limits on insurance coverage:
• Denies you coverage when you get sick;
• Allows you to keep your children on your plan until age 26;
• Requires health insurance companies to provide cost-free preventive services;
• Prevents health insurance companies from penalizing you from using the nearest emergency room without penalty;
• Provides small businesses a tax credit for covering their employees;
• Provides cost-free preventive services to Medicare beneficiaries; and
• Increases coverage of seniors who enter the Medicare Prescription Drug plans so-called donut hole.

Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act:

• Prohibits discrimination for everyone due to pre-existing conditions or gender; 
• Eliminates annual limits on insurance coverage;
• Increases the tax credits for small businesses to cover their employees; and
• Increases eligibility for Medicaid and provides tax credits for individuals and families for health insurance available in new health care market places.
• If you are under age 65 and your annual income is less than $15,860 for an individual and less than $32,499 for a family of four, then you may be eligible for Medi-Cal (Medicaid), and
• If you are under age 65 and your annual income is between $15,860 - $45,960 for an individual, or your annual income is between $32,500 - $94,200 for a family of four you may be eligible for health care tax credits to buy health insurance in the new health care market places.

To Find Out Your New Choice Under the Affordable Care Act, please check Covered California’s website: www.coveredca.com

Health Care Reform Milestones

On the first anniversary of President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act into law, Rep. Becerra released the following video message on the new rights and choices that are now there for American families:

On April 6, 2010 Rep. Becerra held a briefing at Arroyo Vista Family Health Center in Lincoln Heights to highlight the benefits of health care reform that will be seen in Los Angeles. You can view video of the event here:

On November 7, the House of Representative took a historic vote and passed H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act.

On February 25, 2010, Rep. Becerra joined House and Senate leaders of both parties to meet with President Obama at the Blair House to discuss moving forward with comprehensive health reform. You can view his remarks here:

On March 21, 2010, Rep. Becerra joined a majority in the House of Representatives and voted to pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and Reconciliation Act of 2010, the final version of health insurance reform. You can view his floor statement urging passage of the legislation here: