This morning, following months of anticipation, the Supreme Court finally upheld the president’s Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. However, the ruling isn’t just a victory for the White House. It is also a victory for the millions of middle class, poor, and working poor who live their lives, the same as I have, just one medical catastrophe or job loss away from financial ruin due to loss of health insurance.
An idea originally put forth by Republicans during the Clinton healthcare debate, the so-called insurance “mandate,” somehow became “unconstitutional” (at least in the minds of conservatives) once a Democratic president proposed it as part of his healthcare solution. Today, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court resolved the constitutionality of the bill. The court ruled that Congress does have the power to require Americans to purchase health insurance under its taxing authority. This provision brings healthier individuals – those who were willing to gamble on good health by not buying insurance then relying on hospital emergency rooms when disaster strikes – into the system to spread the risk between those in good health and those with health issues.
Unfortunately, the court struck down a provision that required states to implement Medicaid expansions, but it did grant that states remain free to implement the provisions as they see fit.
I hope that all states will swiftly implement all elements of the Affordable Care Act so that American citizens will finally have access to the healthcare they need. Today was a good day for all Americans.
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