Today, the United States Supreme Court rejected challenges from 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Businesses and upheld the Affordable Care Act. In its decision, the Supreme Court found that Congress acted within its authority when requiring Americans to have health insurance.
We can now celebrate. The decision by the Supreme Court shuts the door on the political debate that has been stalling implementation of the law. Our elected officials need to roll up their sleeves and implement the law without delay so all Ohioans can have the security of knowing that health coverage will be there when they need it."
The Affordable Care Act is helping 100 million Americans including seniors and small businesses. Even more Americans will benefit when the law is fully implemented in 2014.
Today is a good day for young adults, seniors, people with cancer and other health problems, and small businesses. The Affordable Care Act makes coverage more secure by ensuring that Ohioans cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, or lose their coverage when they get sick. That is the peace of mind that Ohioans need.
The long-awaited Supreme Court ruling clears the way for implementation of the law at the state and federal levels. Now the nation will see large-scale expansion of Medicaid to provide much-needed relief for states struggling with the cost of providing care to low-income working families and seniors, creation of a state insurance marketplace where Ohioans can buy coverage using tax credits that make insurance more affordable, and no-cost preventive care that lowers health costs in the long-term by detecting health conditions in early stages.
Ohio's State Legislators and State Insurance Director Mary Taylor must begin immediately planning for a health insurance Exchange that works for consumers and small businesses. Opponents of the Affordable Care Act are out of excuses.
