Obama Touts Success of Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act popularly known as 'Obamacare' seeks to make health insurance coverage available to a broad cross-section of Americans, for whom health care is often too expensive, is not offered through their employer, or is otherwise inaccessible. Barack Obama, the US President, has claimed the health-care law which took effect five years ago worked 'better than expected'. The Affordable Care Act signed on March 23, 2010, has been an issue that deeply divides the Democrats and the Republicans since then. Democrats regarded it as the culmination of tremendous efforts in the past 10 years to ensure health coverage for Americans across the nation, including people with health problems who till then had often been refused insurance coverage by insurance companies. On the other hand, Republicans dismissed it as government overreach, and have been trying to repeal or roll back the 'Obamacare' bill.

As Republicans are now in full control of both chambers of Congress, there is a large possibility of a bill to repeal Obamacare. However, President Obama is sure to veto any such legislation. Latest statistics released on March 16 by the US Department of Health and Human Service revealed that over 16 million out of the more than 300 million US residents have gained insurance coverage under Obama's health care law.

Source-Medindia