NYAPRS Note: The following comes from Medicaid Matter’s Lara Kassel who aptly writes “I can think of no better way for this day to be marked in New York State than for the Senate to make a commitment to the creation of a Health Insurance Exchange! But they haven’t done that yet, so let’s use this anniversary to once again ask the Senate to do the right thing.
Call your State Senator TODAY at 518-455-2800 to ask them to enact the language they already agreed to last summer to create New York’s Health Insurance Exchange!
Below, from FamiliesUSA, are links to fact sheets and other information about the many benefits of the ACA.
Here are two NYS-based pieces that should help bolster our arguments even further. They are:
A release from Superintendent of the Department of Financial Services, Ben Lawsky, highlighting the support of business groups and the insurance industry
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/121900/lawsky-business-groups-push-for-health-exchange/
And, an editorial in today’s NYTimes that lists the Exchange legislation as one of four items that must be nailed down in the budget
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/23/opinion/fixing-new-yorks-budget.html?src=recg
Now go call your State Senators!
As you know, the two-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is this Friday, March 23. This date is an important opportunity to reflect upon the benefits that Americans of all backgrounds are already seeing as a result of health reform. Moreover, with the Supreme Court oral arguments on the constitutionality of the health law next week, it is more important than ever to illustrate what’s at stake by emphasizing the positive gains the law continues to provide.
Share the Benefits: This fact sheet contains data points that demonstrate the positive impact that the Affordable Care Act is making on the lives of millions of Americans. With 17 million children with pre-existing conditions no longer being denied coverage, 3.6 million seniors saving money on their prescription drugs, and 2 million small business employees securing coverage thanks to tax credits, there are plenty of reasons to say, “Happy Birthday, Affordable Care Act!”
Spread the Word: Continue celebrating this historic legislation with this helpful brochure that illustrates how everyday people are benefitting from the law right now and how Americans will continue to lead lives of good health and financial security as other provisions of the law are fully implemented.
As the anniversary approaches, let’s continue to reflect upon what our advocacy work has accomplished—thanks to you, health reform is helping millions of Americans. Keep up the fight to protect the Affordable Care Act from the threats it faces in the future.
Sincerely,
Maryellen Barreca
Families USA
Families USA | 1201 New York Ave., NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005
www.familiesusa.org | info@familiesusa.org