KDP Celebrates the 14th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Frankfort, Ky.—Today, KDP Chair Colmon Elridge released the following statement to celebrate the 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and its success in expanding access to health care across Kentucky.

“Since first signed into law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped Kentucky families in every corner of the Commonwealth access the health care they need to live fulfilling lives.

Kentucky led the way in implementing the ACA, and under the leadership of Governor Steve Beshear, the launch and implementation of kynect — the statewide health insurance exchange — became a national model. Kentucky Democratic leaders have transformed kynect into a one-stop shop where Kentuckians can conveniently select the health plan that best meets their needs. And thanks to the ACA, Kentucky has been able to expand Medicaid, providing coverage to over 600,000 Kentuckians who need care the most and tackling health inequities head-on.

Governor Andy Beshear knows how vital the ACA is for Kentucky families. It’s why he rescinded Matt Bevin’s disastrous Medicaid waiver in his first week on the job and relaunched kynect.

If Republicans in Congress were to gut the ACA, as they have voted to do over 70 times, at least 890,000 individuals with pre-existing health conditions across Kentucky could lose life-saving protections.

In 2024, no Kentuckian should have to worry about losing the coverage that could help save their life. Kentucky Democrats will continue to fight every day to ensure Kentuckians never again have to carry that fear.”