WASHINGTON – For the first time in a decade, the House passed legislation Monday to expand and strengthen the Affordable Care Act enacted under the Obama administration, called the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

In California, over a million people have health insurance under Covered California, the state’s version of Obamacare and data now show upwards of 60,000 people in the state have signed up during the special enrollment period amid the pandemic. 

California Democrats said their vote Monday is in contrast with the president’s attack on the ACA after the Justice Department filed a brief to the Supreme Court last week to dismantle the bill. 

This House bill was actually postponed about three months due to the coronavirus and the timing now makes it clear House Democrats wanted to send a message to the people: that while they’re trying to expand health insurance, meant to help lower-class Americans, the president is trying to take it away amid a pandemic. 

This legislation aims to expand Obamacare by increasing subsidies and lowering and capping premiums, making health insurance more affordable. The bill also allows the government to negotiate prices for certain drugs and increases federal funding to encourage states to expand Medicaid. 

Fullerton Democrat, Gil Cisneros, who is in Washington this week, said his community in Southern California would benefit from the lowered premiums. He says it would be the Senate and the president’s fault if these new provisions don’t become law, saying he will support the bill despite the lack of Republican support. 

“Well because the Senate chooses to do nothing, it doesn’t mean that we should sit aside and do nothing as well,” Cisneros said. “The Trump administration has moved to get rid of the ACA. They filed a brief asking the Supreme Court to get rid of the ACA. This is a time where Americans really need their insurance. The ACA has provided insurance to over 20 million people. A lot of the families right now who are going through the pandemic right now who may be furloughed or lost their job, have transferred over to the ACA to continue their insurance.”

As Democrats attack President Trump’s record, they’re making it clear their election strategy includes making health care a priority, like in 2018.

President Trump tweeted this weekend, saying, “Obamacare is a joke!” And went on to say he would "always protect people with pre-existing conditions.”

But as the president pledges to come up with a better and “less expensive alternative,” his administration has yet to release a detailed replacement plan. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the administration doesn’t expect to present a new plan until after the Supreme Court rules. 

Republicans are supporting the president and said the House bill that allows the government to negotiate drug prices, could deter pharmaceutical companies from research and development, and investments in COVID-19 vaccines. 

One Democrat voted against the measure; two Republicans voted in favor. It’s unlikely the GOP-controlled Senate will consider the bill.