President Biden this week released his American Families Plan to expand investments in childcare, student aid, and health care. The proposal carries important implications for the health care and well-being of all Americans.
Importantly, the proposal permanently extends recent enhancements to the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits, which made accessing health coverage more affordable for millions of Americans. Permanently extending these changes will help four million uninsured people gain coverage and nine million more middle-class families save hundreds of dollars annually on premiums. Blue Shield of California strongly supports the Affordable Care Act because it brings us closer than ever to the goal of universal health coverage for all Americans. Making these tax credits permanent provides needed support to middle class families by making comprehensive coverage more affordable.
I hope our leaders can find the political will to build on the successes of the Affordable Care Act and make care more affordable for millions of people. I strongly support the Biden Administration’s efforts to preserve and improve upon the gains brought about by the Affordable Care Act and will continue to support health policy proposals that help us reach universal coverage for all.
Paul Markovich is president and chief executive officer of Blue Shield of California