Dr. James Galloway, U.S. Assistant Surgeon General and HHS Acting Regional Director, speaks on the passage of America’s Health Care Law

 Waukegan, IL – On March 27, 2011, the Campaign for Better Health Care’s Faith Caucus, Jesus Name Apostolic Church, and Family First Center of Lake County co-sponsored HHS Acting Regional Director and Assistant Surgeon General Galloway, to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the passage of the historic health care reform law.

 Dr. Galloway spoke to members of the congregation and the media at the Jesus Name Apostolic Church in Waukegan, IL.

“Regardless of the separation of church and state, people still choose to go to their church for help and information.   It takes a partnership to best serve the community and get the services to the people,” said Pastor John I. Caples Senior Pastor, Jesus Name Apostolic Church.

Through the passage of health insurance reform, we have brought some of the most abusive practices of the insurance industry to an end, and instituted new rights and benefits for all. From birth to death, Americans now enjoy health care security and protection in new ways. Already in Illinois:

• 47,200 young adults in Illinois are now eligible to stay on their parents’ coverage through age 26
• Tens of thousands of small businesses receive tax credits that help them offer their employees coverage
• 7.5 million people in our state no longer need to worry about hitting a lifetime cap on benefits because of the ACA
• 612,000 Illinoisans will not have their insurance coverage rescinded when they get sick and need it most
• 1.8 million seniors are now eligible for free wellness care, and 109,421 of them received help in meeting the costs of their prescription drugs while in the Medicare Part D coverage gap

“In just one year since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, Illinois families have more freedom and control over their health care choices. Those who already have health insurance will have better and more affordable coverage, and for those who may not have insurance this law will expand coverage to over 32 million people. As a physician and a public health official, I’ve seen the real benefits this law has brought to children, families, and seniors in just one year, and there are many more to come,” said Dr. James Galloway, Acting Regional Director Region V HHS and Assistant U.S. Surgeion General.

“Family First Center of Lake County is committed to the mission of empowering the community with knowledge,” said  Evelyn Chenier M.S., L.P.C. Executive Director, Family First Center. “We support the implementation of a comprehensive and holistic health care plan for Illinois that provides affordable, quality and accessible health care.”

“Health care is the key to economic security and opportunity for millions of Illinois’ working families, children, seniors, individuals and small businesses,” said Jim Duffett, Executive Director of the Campaign for Better Health Care, Illinois’ largest grassroots health care advocacy coalition.  “Here at the one-year mark, we applaud those that voted for the passage of the Affordable Care Act in Washington last year, and encourage our elected officials in Springfield to move forward with the implementation of the required components of this law so that all Illinoisans can enjoy its benefits.”