AUCD Statement: Health Care Ruling a Victory for All Americans
June 28, 2012
Kim E. Musheno
Director of Public Policy
301-588-8252
[email protected]
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The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) applauds today's United States Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
"The Affordable Care Act is a landmark law and a victory for all Americans, but especially for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions who often struggle to find quality health coverage," said AUCD President Anthony Antosh, EdD. The ACA will expand access to healthcare for almost 30 million Americans and strengthen existing protections for consumers in the insurance market, ensuring that they can no longer be denied coverage based on preexisting conditions or disability. Today's decision underscores the importance of healthcare as a basic human right that impacts the wellbeing of every individual, family budgets, the economy and our values as Americans.
In particular, the Court's decision will ensure that health insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on preexisting conditions or discriminate based on an individual's health status. Also, more Americans will have access to quality healthcare and long-term home and community based care through an expansion of the state-run Medicaid system. Already, more than three million young adults under the age of 26 have been covered through additional market reforms. Additionally, the ruling underscores the importance of services and protections for individuals with disabilities through access to habilitative and rehabilitative services and devices, mental health and substance disorder services, preventive and wellness services, chronic disease management and basic services for children.
"We have taken a major step forward today to significantly increase the number of people who will have health care coverage in the years to come," said George Jesien, Executive Director of AUCD. "Congress and the American people will need to work together to protect this step toward greater social justice and equity for all in our country and to help ensure the law's effective implementation over the coming years."
The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), located in Silver Spring, MD, promotes and supports a national network of interdisciplinary centers on disabilities. The members of AUCD represent every U.S. state and territory. AUCD and its members work to advance policy and practice through research, education, leadership, and services for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families, and communities. For more information, visit AUCD's website: www.aucd.org.
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