Democrats play up achievements of 2010 health care reform law
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The Democratic Party platform is extolling what it says are the achievements of the 2010 health care reform law as well as citing the differences between it and the Republican Party on the future of that law.
The platform says that under the law, “Young Americans entering the workforce can stay on their parents’ plans,” a reference to a politically popular provision in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that requires group plans to extend coverage to employees’ adult children up to age 26.
In addition, according to the platform, which delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., are expected to adopt Tuesday, reform law provisions that take effect in 2014 will allow the uninsured to obtain coverage in state or federally facilitated exchanges, with federal premium subsidies provided to those with incomes below 400% of the federal poverty level.
In all, “30 million of our fellow citizens finally gain health insurance,” the platform says.
However, a recent Congressional Budget Office report puts the estimate of those gaining coverage somewhat lower at 26 million by 2016.
The platform acknowledges that “no law is perfect” and that Democrats will work to improve the law “where necessary.”
By contrast, the platform says, “Mitt Romney and the Republican Party would repeal health care reform. They are more concerned with playing politics than supporting families in this country.”
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