It’s official: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has lived to see another day. The Supreme Court announced Thursday, June 17, that it had voted to uphold the healthcare law after yet another challenge from Republicans.
The ACA has been at the center of countless controversies and debates since first being signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. Some experts had predicted that Justice Amy Coney Barrett—famously confirmed to the position just days before the 2020 presidential election—might be the final puzzle piece opponents of the bill needed to kill it for good. Barrett voted to uphold the law, however, joined by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justices Stephen G. Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Brett M. Kavanaugh.
Numerous healthcare organizations—including the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association—have signed a new statement in support of the Supreme Court’s decision.
“This ruling is a victory for people with serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, diabetes, neurological conditions, mental illness, and anyone suffering long-term effects from COVID-19,” the groups wrote. “These patients and millions more rely on the law’s critical patient protections to obtain more affordable, comprehensive health coverage. This decision ensures that essential patient protections will remain in place, including those prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage or charging more for coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, requiring health plans to offer essential benefits needed to prevent and treat serious conditions and eliminating arbitrary dollar limits on coverage.”
CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure released her own statement on the big news.
“Millions of Americans can breathe a sigh of relief following today’s Supreme Court 7-2 ruling upholding the ACA,” she said. “This victory assures access to affordable and comprehensive health insurance for patients and families across the country.”
Michael has more than 16 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.