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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline APRIL 07, 2023 | The Indian Eye 22

Dr. Ravi Kolli Represents AAPI at the White House

Celebrating 13th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

OUR BUREAU decent shot. It is about fairness. It is
about dignity. My budget continues
Washington, DC
to build on the progress we made in
r. Ravi Kolli, President of the the Affordable Care Act.”
American Association of the Calling it historic, Dr. Kolli
DPhysicians of Indian Origin praised the current administration
(AAPI), the largest ethnic medical for the efforts to insure millions,
organization in the United States was providing them with affordable
invited to be part of the 13th-anniver- health benefits. Quoting statistics,
sary celebrations of the Affordable Dr. Kolli pointed out, “During 2023
Care Act on March 13th, 2023, at the open enrollment a record high 16.4
White House in Washington, DC. million people signed up, with 4.4
“It was such a privilege and an million more people enrolled for
honor to be at the White House rep- health insurance since 2021. A new
resenting AAPI, to commemorate HHS report shows more than 40 mil-
13th anniversary of the Affordable lion people are currently enrolled in
Care Act. It was a memorable day Marketplace or Medicaid expansion
to cherish,” Dr. Kolli described his coverage related to provisions of the
experience joining with several oth- Affordable Care Act -- the highest
er healthcare leaders at the White total on record.”
House to commemorate the Af- Dr. Kolli thanked the Biden
fordable Care Act signed into law Act also known as Obamacare was after fighting for decades to make it administration for the Open Enroll-
by President Barack Obama. Other signed into law in 2010. The act happen, and I remember three words ment outreach that was tailored to
AAPI team members attending the aimed to provide affordable health I used at the time, I thought it was --” reach audiences that experience low-
White House ceremony included, insurance coverage for all Ameri- Biden said, smiling to invited guests er access to health care through cul-
Drs. Rupak Parikh, Roshan Shah, cans. The ACA was also designed to in the White House East Room. “I tural marketing experts to connect
Sameer Gupta and Jay Bhat protect consumers from insurance thought it was a big deal. And I stand more people to resources including
Surrounded by several health- company tactics that might drive up by the fact, it was a big deal.” Asian American and Pacific Island-
care professionals, industry lead- patient costs or restrict care. Millions The president touted the prog- er communities, African Americans,
ers, and heads of federal agencies, of Americans have benefitted by re- ress his administration has made to Spanish and English-speaking Lati-
President Joe Biden along with Vice ceiving insurance coverage through advance health care policy through nos, and in multiple languages.
President Kamala Harris, Speaker the ACA. Many of these people were legislation, the Affordable Care Act. HHS released a report from the
Emerita Nancy Pelosi marked the unemployed or had low-paying jobs. “Folks, look, we’re making health Office of the Assistant Secretary for
13th anniversary of the passage of Some couldn’t work because of a dis- care more affordable in many other Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
the Affordable Care Act in the same ability or family obligations. Others ways as well.” Biden also highlighted that shows more than 40 million peo-
room where his predecessor, Obama could not get decent health insurance recent moves by several pharmaceu- ple are currently enrolled in Market-
signed into law the historic Act bene- because of a preexisting medical con- tical companies to cap the price of place or Medicaid expansion cover-
fitting millions. dition, such as a chronic disease. insulin. age related to provisions of the ACA
The landmark Affordable Care “Many of you joined us that day “Well, I value everyone having a -- the highest total on record.

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