Supreme Court decision ensures health security for all Coloradans
The U.S. Supreme Court today ensured all Coloradans will have access to quality, affordable health care. In a five-four opinion written by Chief Justice John Roberts the court upheld the Affordable Care Act. The individual mandate was found constitutional as a tax.
"We celebrate the ruling because it means that all Coloradans have the security of knowing they can get the care they need when they need it," said Elisabeth Arenales, the Health Program Director at the Colorado Center on Law and Policy.
In the past two years, the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, has helped nearly 2 million Coloradans gain access to health care, expanded services and peace of mind. That includes:
• More than 40,000 young adults in Colorado under the age of 26 have gained health insurance.
• In 2011 alone, 39,000 Colorado Medicare recipients saved over $22 million on their prescription.
• 291,000 children in Colorado with pre-existing conditions can never be denied coverage.
• Many Coloradans are opening the mail this month to find rebates from their insurance companies.
These are a few of the positive changes that are a direct result of the Affordable Care Act. Colorado can now continue moving forward implementing other provisions of the act and ensuring that all Coloradans are secure in the knowledge they have access to quality, affordable health care when they need it.
Read the court's decision here: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf