Affordable Care Act and Individual Mandate Upheld

Press Release

Today, the US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was constitutional, and that the ACA, signed into law in 2010 by President Obama, could continue to provide enormous benefits, both in cost and coverage, to countless Americans.

"The Court's decision should help put to rest this unnecessary and divisive political battle," said Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-3). "By removing a cloud of uncertainty, we all should be able to get to work on implementation. The ACA will continue to protect Oregonians and Americans from financial ruin because of health care costs, insure more young adults, help people with preexisting conditions, expand Medicaid, and protect Medicare for future generations. Oregon can continue to be an innovator, improve the way we practice medicine, help make healthier families, and will make good on the federal government's $1.9 billion bet that Oregon can make health care better."

The ACA has a very real effect for Oregonians in ways that can make all of us healthier and help us, and the government, save money:

* Nearly 50,000 people with Medicare in Oregon received a $250 rebate to help cover the cost of their prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole in 2010.

* Health plans are now required to allow parents to keep their children under age 26 without job-based coverage on their family coverage. As of December 2011, 43,000 young adults in Oregon gained insurance coverage as a result of the health care law.

* Since the law was enacted, Oregon residents with Medicare have saved a total of $42,556,748 on their prescription drugs.

* In 2011, nearly 390,000 people with Medicare in Oregon received free preventive services.

* 1,356,000 Oregon residents, including 529,000 women and 342,000 children, are free from worrying about lifetime limits on coverage.

* Oregon has received $64.7 million in grants for research, planning, information technology development, and implementation of Affordable Insurance Exchanges.

* The 196 existing community health centers in Oregon. Health centers in Oregon have received $66.2 million to expand their capacities.

Congressman Blumenauer will continue to work to build a healthier future for Americans on the foundation of the ACA, not just through improved health care laws and investment, but by fighting to create a cleaner environment, encouraging more active lifestyles, and improving education and nutrition.

Source