On the 1st anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, we decided to take stock of just what health care reform has meant for South Dakota.
346,000 South Dakotans with a pre-existing condition are no longer denied coverage by insurance companies
41,000 South Dakotans now have access to quality and affordable health care because of comprehensive health care reform
10,169 South Dakota seniors have benefited from additional coverage because Democrats closed the Medicare “donut hole”
46 community clinics exist in South Dakota because of the Affordable Care Act (Now that’sjobs!)
217,000 South Dakota families will receive tax credits and other assistance to make sure they can afford quality coverage
67,000 young adults in South Dakota can now stay on their parents’ health care coverage
In a word: Woah. So while Republicans continue to spout empty rhetoric, we’re moving forward. In the words of Senator Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy:
“The great adventures which our opponents offer is a voyage into the past. Progress is our heritage, not theirs.”