Dr. Ravi Kolli represents AAPI at White House celebration of 13th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

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Dr. Ravi Kolli, president of the American Association of the Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI), the largest ethnic medical organization in the United States was invited to be part of the 13th-anniversary celebrations of the Affordable Care Act on March 13^th, 2023, at the White House in Washington, DC.

“It was such a privilege and an honor to be at the White House representing AAPI, to commemorate 13th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. It was a memorable day to cherish,” Dr. Kolli is quoted saying in a press release from AAPI March 26.

Other AAPI team members attending the White House ceremony included, Drs. Rupak Parikh, Roshan Shah, Sameer Gupta and Jay Bhat

President Joe Biden along with Vice President Kamala Harris, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi marked the 13th anniversary in the same room where President Barack Obama signed the historic Act into law in 2010. The ACA aimed to provide affordable health insurance coverage for all Americans.

“Many of you joined us that day after fighting for decades to make it happen, and I remember three words I used at the time, I thought it was –” Biden said, smiling to invited guests in the White House East Room. “I thought it was a big deal. And I stand by the fact, it was a big deal.”

The president touted the progress his administration has made to advance health care policy through legislation.

Dr. Kolli praised the current administration’s efforts to insure millions, providing them with affordable health benefits. Quoting statistics, Dr. Kolli pointed out, “During 2023 open enrollment a record high 16.4 million people signed up, with 4.4 million more people enrolled for health insurance since 2021. A new HHS report shows more than 40 million people are currently enrolled in Marketplace or Medicaid expansion coverage related to provisions of the Affordable Care Act — the highest total on record.” He praised the Open Enrollment outreach effort that is reaching less served communities including Asian Americans.

Referring to studies, Dr. Kolli said, ACA has helped a total of 40.2 million Americans gain coverage based on 2022 and early 2023 enrollment data, the highest total on record. Preventive health care, a focus of AAPI, is among the many benefits of ACA, Dr. Kolli pointed out.