Skip to main content

Health Care

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi joins local public health leaders and other San Franciscans for a press conference at the Bayview's Southeast Family Health Center. Pelosi highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act slashes the cost of prescription drugs and provides free vaccines for seniors.

Democrats believe that quality, affordable health care is a right – not a privilege – for every American. That is why House Democrats worked tirelessly with President Obama to enact the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – a landmark achievement that now stands alongside Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as a pillar of health and financial security. This law has been life-changing and life-saving, especially for the 130 million Americans who can no longer be denied coverage simply for having a pre-existing condition.

In the years since, House Democrats have stood strong against years of right-wing attacks on Americans' health care: fighting back in the Congress, in the courts and across the country against Republican efforts to dismantle vital protections, drive up insurance costs, restrict access to care and hand massive tax breaks to Big Pharma.

Now, fighting alongside the Biden-Harris Administration, House Democrats are building on this victory for working families. With our American Rescue Plan, Democrats expanded the promise of the Affordable Care Act to make health care more affordable and accessible than ever before – saving a family of four an average of $2,400 in annual premiums. Now, by enacting the Inflation Reduction Act, we extend and expand the ACA subsidies from the American Rescue Plan for another three years – locking in lower health care premiums that allow 13 million people to stay on their affordable plans and save an average of $800 a year.

House Democrats have also taken bold action to slash the cost of prescription drugs. The Inflation Reduction Act empowers the Secretary of Health and Human Services to directly negotiate prices with drug companies, creates a $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, caps insulin costs at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries and provides free vaccines for seniors. Doing so strikes a big blow to Big Pharma – giving the American people leverage over this special interest.

Meanwhile, President Biden has taken direct action to lower costs: signing an Executive Order allowing more families to access ACA subsidies and expanding coverage to hundreds of thousands of uninsured Americans. Thanks to this key step forward, working families can get the care they need while keeping more money in their pockets each month.

While Republicans continue plotting to rip away Americans' health care, Democrats will never relent in our fight to put People Over Politics: lowering health care costs for America's families.

Frequently Asked Questions on Covered California and you >>

Learn more about how the Affordable Care Act works for you>>