Supreme Court Decision to Hear Challenges to the Affordable Care Act

Today, the United States Supreme Court announced it would consider legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act. As the White House blog writes, "earlier this year, the Obama Administration asked the Supreme Court to hear the case against the Affordable Care Act in order to put the challenges to rest and continue moving forward with implementing the law, which will lower the cost of health care for all Americans while ensuring more people are able to access the care they need."

Leader Pelosi on today's news:

Today's announcement places the Affordable Care Act before the highest court in our country. We are confident that the Supreme Court will find the law constitutional and Americans will benefit from lower health care costs and greater access to high-quality medical care.

Millions of our nation's families, seniors, young adults, and workers are already benefiting from the law. Seniors are receiving discounts on prescription drugs and free preventive services. Young people are gaining insurance by staying on their parents' plans. And children with pre-existing conditions are now protected from discrimination.

Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD):

I welcome the Supreme Court's decision to consider legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act and have every confidence that the Court will uphold the constitutionality of this law. The Affordable Care Act continues to provide benefits to millions of Americans; from children with pre-existing conditions to seniors who are now saving money on prescription drug costs. I am confident Americans of all ages will continue to benefit from the health care law, as it will be upheld.

Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Ways and Means Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Pete Stark (D-CA):

Rep. Sander Levin: "The fact that millions of Americans have already benefited under the new health law – including children with a preexisting condition, seniors paying for prescription drugs, employees of small businesses and young adults under 26 – is persuasive evidence that health coverage is a national issue needing national action. There is every reason to believe that the Supreme Court will uphold the constitutionality of the health law. It is time for Republicans to turn their focus away from repealing a law that is already benefiting millions of Americans of all ages and join with Democrats on a real jobs agenda."

Rep. Pete Stark: "The Supreme Court's decision to consider the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act next year is welcome news. I believe the Court will uphold the law, which is already helping millions of uninsured young Americans get coverage, ensuring all Americans get more for their health care dollar, and reducing out-of-pocket prescription costs for seniors while increasing their preventive services at no charge. Republicans' repeal efforts have been harmful to Americans' health and their pocketbooks. I'm looking forward to a Supreme Court ruling that will force Republicans to join Democrats in governing instead of continuing their political grandstanding."