Washington, DC - One year after Congress passed and President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act in into law, Mary Kay Henry, President of SEIU issued the following statement:

Twelve months ago, our country took an enormous step forward with the passage of the Affordable Care Act. We said goodbye to a healthcare system driven by skyrocketing healthcare premiums and insurance company profits.

"Since that day, I have talked with hundreds of working women and men throughout this country and there is no doubt - the law is changing their lives for the better. Family by family, neighbor by neighbor, community by community, the Affordable Care Act is bringing real relief and peace of mind to millions of hardworking Americans.

"Americans like Denise Ybarra of San Jose, California are already benefiting. Denise now has the peace of mind that comes with knowing that her daughter Dezeray -who survived T-cell leukemia when she was just six years old - can be covered under her family's insurance until she's 26. And as Dezeray grows older, insurance companies won't be allowed to deny her coverage due to the 'pre-existing condition' of surviving leukemia. More than 129 million families like Denise's are counting on this law.

"There have been too few victories this year for America's working families. Governors and state lawmakers want to lay the blame of the financial crisis at their feet and instead of getting down to the hard work of creating good jobs, congressional Republicans want to turn back the clock and take away the benefits of the healthcare law. That is not progress, it is procrastination.

"Americans are working harder than ever to get ahead and there is no doubt that the Affordable Care Act is helping. It is time that those who would stand in their way step aside and keep America moving forward."

Learn more about how the law is benefitting working families at http://www.seiu.org/the-healthcare-law.

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers -- not just corporations and CEOs -- benefit from today's global economy. www.seiu.org

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