“With the enactment of health insurance reform, we are putting America back on track. We are making the worst practices of the insurance industry—from discrimination based on pre-existing conditions to dropping coverage when you get sick—a thing of the past. We are providing access to quality, affordable health care to nearly all Americans. And we are doing it responsibly, by driving down our budget deficits and enhancing America’s competitiveness in the global economy. Today we lay the groundwork for a more just and prosperous America.”
-Congressman Xavier Becerra, March 23, 2010

On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 into law. As Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Becerra worked hard to make the dream of quality, affordable health care a reality for America's working families. Here you will learn more about this landmark law and Rep. Becerra's work to enact it.

Take Control of Your Health Care

In July the Department of Health and Human Services launched HealthCare.gov, a new website for consumers like us to take control of our health care by connecting us with information and resources that will help us access quality, affordable health care coverage.

The new HealthCare.gov website includes:

• Easy to understand information on consumers’ rights (existing and new), how to navigate the insurance marketplace, and benefits of the Affordable Care Act
• A new online tool to help consumers find the coverage we need from more than 1,000 private carriers and 5,000 insurance plans
• Information on Pre-Existing Condition Plans, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, and operational high risk pool programs in the country

Understanding the Affordable Care Act:

Benefits of Health Care Reform in Los Angeles & Nationwide

On April 6, 2010 Rep. Becerra held a media 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:

• Doubling the number of insured in CA-31: According to an analysis released March 17, 2010 by the House Energy & Commerce Committee, health insurance reform will more than double the number of people with health insurance in California's 31st Congressional District. Click here to read more about the benefits of the health reform legislation.
• Immediate Benefits This Year: certain benefits of health care reform will kick in immediatly and throughout 2010 for seniors, small business owners and employees, young adults and many others. Click here to learn more about the immediate benefits of reform.
• Young Americans will immediatly be allowed to stay on their parents health plans until their 26th birthday. Click here to learn about other benefits for young Americans.
• Small Businesses will immediatly receive up to a 35% tax credit to cover health insurance costs. Click here to learn about the other benefits for small businesses.
• Seniors who find themselves in the Medicare Part D "Donut Hole" will immediatly get $250 to help cover the cost of prescription drugs this year. By 2020 the Donut Hole will be closed completely. Click here to learn about other benefits for seniors.
• Women have long suffered from higher health care costs. This reform ends discrimination against women in our health care system. Click here learn more about the benefits for women.
• Click here to view the complete implementation timeline for all the provisions in the health care reform law.

Health Care Reform Milestones

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:

Hearing From You: Telephone Town Hall Series

Throughout the summer of 2009, Rep. Becerra held a series of telephone town halls on health care reform; you can listen to the conversations by clicking on the following streaming links (Windows Media Player required):

September 3, 2009
Tele-Town Hall on Health Care Reform #4

August 27, 2009
Tele-Town Hall on Health Care Reform #3

August 11, 2009
Tele-Town Hall on Health Care Reform #2

June 11, 2009
Tele-Town Hall on Health Care Reform #1

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