Health Care for All

The recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in Florida v. HHS upholding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was surprising but deeply important. This decision protects the health of millions of Americans.

As Elisabeth MacNamara, national League of Women Voters president, said, “The Court recognized health care reform for what it is: a legislative response to complex issues threatening the health and well-being of Americans that was best resolved by the elected branch of government – the Congress. The Court upheld this historic, transformative act of Congress.”

Upholding the ACA brings our nation closer to the goal of this law: to provide universal health care for all Americans. There are still threats to these critical reforms and the League will continue its work fighting for progress on many fronts.

According to Ms. MacNamara, “Now that the law has been upheld, children will no longer be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, young adults can stay on their parents’ health plans as dependents until age 26, Medicare participants will have annual check-ups and mammograms, and many uninsured Americans will now have health care coverage.”

The League of Women Voters of Santa Barbara will continue to educate our community on the ACA and its pivotal impact on their lives, and work to fully implement the law, while continuing to work for further healthcare reform in California. Health care for all must be the goal as we expand coverage to millions of Americans and preserve the ACA’s transformational reforms.

We expressed great hope when the ACA passed Congress in 2010 after decades of struggle. Today, we look to a brighter future, a tomorrow that includes health care coverage for all Americans.