HARRISBURG, June 28, 2012 –State Senator Vincent Hughes (D-Phila./Montgomery) today applauded the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision today to uphold the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, calling it a win for the healthcare of millions of Pennsylvanians. Senator Hughes statement is below:
“This is a great day for health care consumers, seniors burdened by high prescription drug costs, patients with pre-existing conditions, folks who have exhausted coverage limits, students, and others who have already been personally touched by the law. The Supreme Court has recognized the importance of the Affordable Care Act and upheld its constitutionality.
“The benefits of the Affordable Care Act cannot be ignored, including expansion of insurance coverage, elimination of benefit caps and denials of insurance due to pre-existing conditions. We need affordable, accessible health care in Pennsylvania and this Act gives us just that.
“While most of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act do not take effect until January 2014, there are many beneficial attributes of the law that are already hard at work. These benefits could have been snatched away from those individuals already taking advantage of them.
“By the time all the provisions of the Affordable Care Act go into effect in 2014, all Americans will have access to affordable health insurance options.
“This is an absolute win for the health of America. For those of us who have labored so long for health care reform in America, we must continue the fight for the Affordable Care Act and work diligently to block those who want to see this landmark legislation fail.
“We must now begin the task to ensure that all the provisions of the Affordable Care Act are implemented and that true healthcare reform is upheld.”
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