Georgia Dems 'Delighted' by Health Care Decision

From the Georgia House Democratic Caucus

Georgia House Democrats are delighted about to uphold President Obama’s health care law.

The Supreme Court ruled Thursday morning that the requirement that most Americans buy health insurance or pay a fine is constitutional as a tax. The health care overhaul was originally signed into law by President Obama in 2010.

The decision will improve how Americans receive and pay for their personal medical care.

House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams says that she is gratified by the court’s landmark ruling and its willingness to place principle over politics. 

“The Supreme Court today issued an extraordinary ruling that will help millions of American families achieve better access to medical care and no longer have to choose between economic security and their health,” Abrams said. “We are very pleased by the court’s decision to uphold President Obama’s signature achievement and its protections for Georgia families. Two million Georgians will have new access to insurance, and more will gain preventative care, lower costs and quality service.”

The legislation means that children and adults will no longer be denied health insurance due to pre-existing condition, young adults can stay on their parent’s health insurance until age 26, and health insurance providers can no longer cancel your policy because you get sick.

Rep. Pat Gardner has been an advocate for the Affordable Care Act since it was first signed in 2010.

“No one could be more delighted by the Supreme Court’s ruling today than I am,” Gardner said. “As a mother whose baby daughter was denied coverage by insurers 35 years ago because of a pre-existing condition, I am so pleased that no family will have to face that kind of anxiety in the future.

"Today we have taken a momentous step forward towards creating a coordinated system of care. People will no longer be denied coverage or find that their coverage has been dropped because they are sick. I am delighted that individuals in both Georgia and the United States will have more options for coverage.”

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