Cleaver: This is a historic week for this country

(From Fifth District Congressman Emanuel Cleaver)

On Thursday, the United States Supreme Court upheld President Obama’s healthcare law. While I believe this is an historic week in the country, I continue to hope that the decision does not further deepen our divisions or cause us to throw up our hands and feel our work is done. All Americans, no matter what their political party, deserve coverage that is functional, full, and fair. My sincere hope is that the states and the federal government will work together to make sure that happens. Because of healthcare, there are now big and important differences in the lives of millions of Americas, who are able to focus on their jobs and quality of life, instead of worrying about what will happen if they or their family members get injured or sick. Below are some facts I think are important as we take a look at what those changes mean for people across the country and right here in Missouri’s Fifth District.

NUMBERS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

• 54 million Americans have received one or more free preventive services
• The annual free wellness exam and the first “Welcome to Medicare” visit will remain free
• The average Medicare beneficiary will continue to save approximately $650 a year
• In August, millions of women will get free coverage for various comprehensive women’s preventive services
• Last year – 32.5 million seniors got one of more free preventive services
• 105 million Americans no longer have a lifetime limit on their coverage

IN MISSOURI’S FIFTH DISTRICT

• 4,200 young adults in the district now have health insurance
• 6,800 seniors in the district got prescription drug discounts worth $3.9 million – an average discount of $580 per senior
• 72,000 seniors in the district got Medicare preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles
• 28,000 children and 110,000 adults now have insurance that covers preventive services without paying any co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles
• 480 small businesses in the district got tax credits to help maintain or expand health care coverage for their employees