“A linchpin in our efforts to improve health and equity.” PHI Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Affordable Care Act

Statement from Mary A. Pittman, CEO and President, Public Health Institute

The Public Health Institute (PHI) applauds today’s 7-2 Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a ruling that will ensure continued access to health care coverage for millions of Americans in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic and beyond. ACA is a critical linchpin in our efforts to improve health, wellness and equity across the country, and must remain the law of the land.

Since its passage in 2010, ACA has strengthened, supported and improved public health and healthcare infrastructure throughout the United States. The law ushered in robust Medicaid expansion in many states and dramatically changed private coverage: insurers can no longer deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions or charge more based on health status or gender, and must cover preventative services. ACA has fundamentally improved health and healthcare access for communities across the country, with significant gains for low-income communities, people of color, women and LGBTQ people.

As the COVID pandemic has demonstrated, we must fully invest in the policies, programs and systems that ensure access to qualify, affordable care and help to keep us healthy. PHI is more committed than ever to ACA’s promise to build a healthier nation for everyone.