Brooklyn, N.Y. – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke released the following statement in celebration of the Fifth Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, which has allowed sixteen million Americans to enroll in comprehensive health insurance plans, improved the quality of health care for all Americans, and reduced the overall cost of health care in the United States.

Since open enrollment started in October 2013, the percentage of American adults without health insurance has decreased by more than one-third, from 20.3 percent to 13.2 percent today, with 11.7 million people signed up for Health Insurance Marketplace plans and an additional 11.1 million people who have enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“In the five years since we passed the Affordable Care Act, more than sixteen million Americans who were previously uninsured now have health insurance, a number that includes about one million people in New York State, which expanded Medicaid eligibility and worked with local government agencies, community-based organizations, and the faith community in support of its health insurance marketplace, New York State of Health. This effort was a success. Now, all Americans – regardless of pre-existing conditions – have access to comprehensive health care, both the preventative treatments necessary to prevent illness and the medical services required when chronic conditions develop,” said Congresswoman Clarke, who as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee will work to expand investment in health care services, such as community health centers, that will ultimately reduce health care costs and improve our quality of health. “Now, we have a responsibility to build on that success, here in New York State and across this nation, as we work toward the achievement of our ultimate purpose: universal access to high-quality health care, as a right, not a privilege.”

U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke is a member of the House Committee on Small Business, Ethics, and Homeland Security, where she is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies. She represents many neighborhoods in central and southern Brooklyn, NY which include Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Gerritsen Beach, Madison, Midwood, parts of Park Slope and Flatlands, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Sheepshead Bay, and Windsor Terrace.