Health

Advocates Highlight Importance of HIV Treatment, Health Care Access on Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

Illinois Democrats and health advocates gathered Monday in Chicago to highlight the impact of the Affordable Care Act —  signed by then President Barack Obama 16 years ago — while sounding the alarm on rising health care costs for Americans.

The statewide progressive policy and political coalition Citizen Action Illinois held a news conference Monday in collaboration with AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Through the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid has become the largest single payer of HIV care in the state, with over 42% of people living with HIV enrolled in Medicaid, or more than 18,000 people, according to AIDS Foundation of Chicago President John Peller.

“The Affordable Care Act is, without a doubt, one of the most critical policy changes in the nation that supports ending the HIV epidemic,” Peller said. “Because people living with HIV are disproportionately Black, Latin, gay and transgender, it’s these vulnerable populations that have benefited most from the Affordable Care Act.”

The health care reform law also supports HIV prevention services, such as improving access to PrEP medication for those vulnerable to HIV, Peller said.

But, all that work is under threat because of the Trump administration, according to Peller, with those living with HIV on Medicaid potentially being cut off from coverage due to new paperwork and work reporting requirements.

Following the signing of the Republicans’ tax and spending bill last July, Medicaid saw significant cuts. At the end of 2025, ACA enhanced premium tax credits expired, leading to increased health insurance costs for enrollees. Earlier this year, legislation sponsored by U.S. U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood to extend the tax credits passed the House, but was not taken up by the Senate.

Underwood mentioned the billions of dollars being spent by the U.S. on the war in Iran.

“It is a ridiculous price tag for a war that Americans do not want,” Underwood said. “It’s funding that should be going towards what Americans do want: extending the ACA tax credits that have made health care more affordable.”

U.S. Reps. Jesús “Chuy” García, Jonathan Jackson, Danny Davis and Delia Ramirez, along with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, were also in attendance and made remarks.

Ramirez said Congress must pass an extension of the ACA tax credits.

“But let’s be honest, even with the subsidies, working people are still left with unaffordable plans and crushing medical debt,” Ramirez said. “So if we’re really serious about addressing affordability and ensuring coverage for all, we do have to pass Medicare for all.”

Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]

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