On the sixth anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, HHS Secretary Sylvia Matthews Burwell commended the law's successes — such as significantly lessening the number of uninsured people and prohibiting insurers from denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions — while still acknowledging people's concerns and frustrations with it, according to The Wall Street Journal.
"This progress has changed people's lives," said Ms. Burwell at a diabetes prevention event.
HHS estimates 20 million people have obtained health insurance under the ACA since its passage. The uninsured rate is below 10 percent for the first time, according to the report.
While acknowledging high costs of care and insurance premiums have negatively impacted many Americans' healthcare experiences, Ms. Burwell said the Obama administration is taking steps to alleviate the cost burden by shifting providers to value-based payment models, according to the report.