LOUISVILLE – Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced that a new analysis shows that hundreds of thousands of Louisvillians are already benefiting from the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law two years ago today.

“Two years ago, we made history by enacting a health care law that guarantees affordable health care to every citizen, reins in costs, broadens consumer choice, lifts the burden from small businesses, and ultimately lowers the national debt,” Yarmuth said. “I was proud to vote for the law then, and I am even prouder now that we are seeing the results: Hundreds of thousands of Louisvillians have new access to essential care, seniors are paying far less for prescriptions, young people who couldn’t get insurance before have it now, and thousands of children are no longer being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition.

“During my time in Congress, I have heard from more Louisvillians about health care than any other issue,” Yarmuth added. “The vast majority of them wanted to lower the barriers to health care in this country, and clearly the Affordable Care Act is succeeding in doing that.”

The analysis, prepared by the House Energy and Commerce Committee, shows that the Affordable Care Act has already provided:

-Coverage for 5,800 additional young adults in Louisville.The health care law requires health insurers to permit parents to retain coverage for their children until their 26th birthday. Because of this provision, nearly 6,000 young adults in Louisville have already gained health care coverage.

-Lower drug costs for nearly 12,000 Louisville seniors.The health care law provides a 50 percent discount for brand-name drugs for seniors in the Medicare Part D “donut hole” coverage gap. Because of this provision, 11,900 Louisville seniors have already received prescription drug discounts worth $7.2 million, an average discount of $610 per senior.

-Protection for as many as 40,000 children with pre-existing conditions in Louisville.The health care law prohibits insurers from denying coverage to children for having a “pre-existing” condition. Because of this provision, as many as 40,000 children with pre-existing conditions in Louisville are now protected against insurer denials.

-Protection for 510,000 Louisvillians from losing their coverage if they get sick.The health care law prohibits insurers from arbitrarily rescinding an individual’s coverage because they become ill. Because of this provision, more than half a million Louisvillians are now protected from these rescissions.

-Elimination of the lifetime limits on health care coverage for 270,000 Louisvillians.The health care law prohibits insurers from placing a lifetime limit on coverage. It is estimated that 270,000 Louisvillians had lifetime limits on their coverage before health reform. In the past, in some cases, lifetime limits on coverage have forced families to declare personal bankruptcy.

-Free key preventive services for 84,000 Louisville seniors.The health care law provides free Medicare coverage of key preventive services, such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and annual wellness visits. Because of this provision, 84,000 Louisville seniors have already received free preventive services, lowering their health care costs.

-Free key preventive services for 130,000 Louisvillians under age 65.For those enrolled in new private plans, the health care law also provides free coverage of key preventive services. Because of this provision, 130,000 residents have benefited – including 32,000 children, 51,000 women, and 25,000 residents who are African-American, Latino, or a part of other minority groups for whom preventative care can reduce health disparities. 

For more details on how the Affordable Care Act benefits Louisville and the rest of the state, please click here. Read the report on how the Affordable Care Act benefits all Americans here.