HHS Secretary Hails Decision Upholding Affordable Care Act
"Today's Supreme Court decision confirms that the Affordable Care Act's tax credits are available to all eligible Americans no matter where they live. Americans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia can continue to rely on the security and peace of mind that come with affordable, quality health care coverage," HHS Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell said.
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell issued a statement applauding the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 decision June 25 that found the subsidies provided under the Affordable Care Act are valid in all 50 states, not merely in the states that set up their own online health insurance marketplaces, called exchanges. The King v. Burwell case tested that proposition on the basis of the phrase in the act, "an Exchange established by the State."
"Today's Supreme Court decision confirms that the Affordable Care Act's tax credits are available to all eligible Americans no matter where they live. Americans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia can continue to rely on the security and peace of mind that come with affordable, quality health care coverage," Burwell's statement said. "Over six million Americans and their families will sleep easier knowing they will still be able to afford health coverage. Millions more won't have to worry about an upward spiral in their premiums because of today's decision, even if they didn't buy their insurance through the Marketplace. And the law's financial assistance will be available in the next open enrollment so that others can benefit, as well.
"The Affordable Care Act is working to improve access, affordability and quality. That is the story I hear as I travel across this country. People's lives have been changed and even saved because they have health insurance—many for the first time. They have coverage that can keep them healthy and provide quality care when they are sick."
Her statement concluded, "I hope that this positive decision will do what the American people want us to do -- focus on the substance and turn to building on the progress we have made. They want us to move forward to provide more Americans with affordable access to quality coverage and create a health care system that improves the quality of care and spends our dollars more wisely."