(BOSTON) – “Americans want the peace of mind that they can go to the doctor when they get sick and receive high quality, affordable health care. President Barack Obama’s re-election ensures Americans will be able to access the health care they need through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The election also brings to fruition the hard work that has been put into ACA implementation at the federal, state and local levels. States should act swiftly to fully implement the law so it can continue to benefit millions of Americans and broaden its impact in the coming months and years.

“As Community Catalyst works to implement the ACA, we will also work to protect the programs that are the law’s foundation, Medicaid, which serves millions of seniors, people with disabilities and low-income families, and Medicare. The public overwhelmingly supports Medicare and Medicaid, and the president and many members of Congress were elected on the promise they would protect these programs that are the backbone of our health care system. However, the future of Medicaid and Medicare is less certain as the Obama Administration and Congress work to avoid the potential economic impact of the fiscal deadlines we are facing. Community Catalyst will work to ensure that any changes to these programs make them more efficient and cost effective without undermining the health security they provide every day to millions of Americans.

“We at Community Catalyst and our state partners are eager to work with policymakers and the public to protect the programs vital to the health and wellness of all Americans. We must work collaboratively and across party lines to implement the ACA and to protect Medicaid and Medicare. Together, we can extend access to quality, affordable health care to millions, fulfilling a long overdue promise to the American people.”