National Hispanic Council on Aging Celebrates the U.S. Supreme Court Decision to Save the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, June 19 -- The National Hispanic Council on Aging issued the following agency statement based on the Supreme Court decision that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains in effect:

Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, is still valid; a wise decision that ensures millions of Americans will continue to have health coverage.

The Affordable Care Act is one of the most important health reforms in American history. This law allowed people with limited resources--who for a long time could not access medical coverage--to have health insurance with basic coverage, paying much less than what they would pay regularly. About 23 million people get health insurance, and millions more with pre-existing conditions are protected from discrimination when it comes to obtaining health care, thanks to the benefits of this law.

The Affordable Care Act moves the country towards a truly inclusive health system, which means that any citizen can be a beneficiary of this aid. "This decision is an important move to continue to protect the health of people. We will be able to continue to keep our kids covered until the age of 25 and will protect people from being discriminated against pre-existing conditions. We are happy with this historic decision," shares NHCOA's President and CEO, Dr. Yanira Cruz.

Strengthening health coverage will also have a clear economic benefit because it contributes to raising productivity, improves the well-being of the population, and encourages labor participation. Likewise, it protects people in the midst of one of the greatest health challenges in history due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This decision will reduce the economic insecurity associated with the lack of health insurance, especially in communities historically affected by the problem, such as the Hispanic/Latino community. NHCOA celebrates this decision and reaffirms its commitment to continue working for the health of the most vulnerable populations.