On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a landmark decision upholding the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The individual mandate, in addition to other provisions – including those that enhance Medicare – was ruled constitutional.
"This ruling is good news for people with Medicare, the Medicare program, and the millions of families who could not otherwise afford health care coverage," said Judith Stein, Executive Director of the Center for Medicare Advocacy.
The law can now continue to help older and disabled Americans, children with special needs, people with pre-existing conditions, women, young adults, and small businesses. In just two years, the law has already saved over $3 billion in Medicare prescription drug costs for older and disabled Americans, put $1.1 billion in rebates back in the pockets of 12.8 million consumers, and allowed over 3 million young adults to retain access to health coverage on their parents' plans.
"Having advocated for people with Medicare for over 25 years, the Center for Medicare Advocacy is in the unique position of having seen a program that was initially doubted, even feared, come to be a beloved American value," said Ms. Stein. "We have no doubt that health care reform will follow the same path as families benefit from it."
The Center for Medicare Advocacy thanks the Supreme Court for advancing affordable health care for all Americans.
- For more information on the Affordable Care Act’s impact on Medicare and the people is serves, see: www.MedicareAdvocacy.org/ACA
- For a detailed look at the issues in the case, see our recent Alert "Good News for Medicare: Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act"