December 16, 2024
Congressman John Spratt, a profile in courage
On Saturday, December 14th, we lost one of the most outstanding and patriotic Congressmen South Carolina has ever sent to Washington.
John Spratt represented the Palmetto State’s 5th Congressional District from 1983-2011. He played significant leadership roles in the U.S. House including chairman of the House Budget Committee where he was considered a fiscal hawk.
During the crafting and debate on the Affordable Care Act in 2009-2010, John Spratt understood that health care reform was desperately needed in South Carolina and the nation.
He also understood that his support and vote for the Affordable Care Act in 2010 would probably guarantee that he would lose his Congressional seat.
The Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010.
Over 570,000 South Carolinians purchased health insurance in 2024 through the Affordable Care Act. Enrollment nationwide was 21.3 million this year. Another 21 million low income Americans are receiving health insurance because the Affordable Care Act expanded the eligibility for Medicaid.
John Spratt knew that this success would happen with the passage of the Affordable Care Act and he was willing to lose at the ballot box to get the job done. He lost his re-election in November of 2010 largely because of his support for health care reform.
One month after the signing of the Affordable Care Act, the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce honored John Spratt with a plaque recognizing his “outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to the passage of health insurance reform.”
We now express our deepest sympathy to his family.
We have lost a true profile in courage.
Frank Knapp
President & CEO
