John, it’s Senator Angus King,

The Affordable Care Act passed 14 years ago today, and with it came the lowest number of uninsured people in Maine’s modern history. It provided healthcare coverage for people in lines of work that are the foundation of Maine’s economy — industries like fishing, forestry, and farming. But since then, the law has been attacked and weakened by partisan politicians in Congress.

Look, John, the ACA was never perfect, but it was a step in the right direction to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone. That said, we need to finish the job and tackle the causes of high healthcare costs — solutions like the Inflation Reduction Act which limited monthly insulin co-pays to $35.

The bottom line here: healthcare coverage isn’t about political parties — it’s about people. People in our communities. People in Maine. Some of whom, thanks to the ACA, got coverage for the first time ever. Policies like the ACA help ensure that every person in Maine can access care, no matter where in the state they live.

As we continue to strive for a healthcare system that supports working people and families, we need to come together and look for solutions that work to bring down costs, expand coverage, and prevent people from slipping through the cracks.

I’m not asking for anything today, but just want to acknowledge what the ACA has meant to so many people in Maine, and that there is still plenty of work ahead of us to maintain and expand its benefits.

In honor of the anniversary of the ACA, I’m calling on all of us to put partisan politics aside to help bring meaningful change to those who need it most. It’s my commitment as your Senator, and it’s what I believe will bring us toward meaningful, lasting solutions for Maine and beyond.

Sincerely yours,

Angus