Since we spend a lot of time looking ahead to 2014 and the promise of significant gains in coverage, it’s always encouraging to see some immediate benefits of the Affordable Care Act.  This time: preventive care for families.

Last week, amidst the excitement over new Essential Health Benefit information and the Administration’s budget, some good news emerged from HHS’s research shop: An estimated 54 million more Americans, including 14 million more children, have already benefitted from better access to preventive services due the the Affordable Care Act.

As we posted when the rule was released, this provision covers well-child visits, immunizations, regular screenings, and other specific services based on guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Using national survey data, the brief provides state-by-state estimates of those who have already benefitted from this provision — a great tool for state advocates as they look to celebrate ACA accomplishments for next month’s 2-year anniversary.