WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court of the United States held the Affordable Care Act constitutional. The Court concluded that the individual mandate, which requires individuals to purchase health insurance, was a valid and constitutional exercise of congressional power. The NHLA commends the Supreme Court for upholding the Affordable Care

Hector E. Sanchez, Chair of the NHLA, stated – “Today’s Supreme Court decision is monumental in scope and historic in nature. No longer will working families wonder if they’ll lose their health insurance if they get sick, or be denied life-saving care because of a pre-existing condition. At a time when Latinos disproportionately feel the inefficiencies and shortcomings of a broken health care system, the Affordable Care Act provides the critical tools needed to ensure that families are not bankrupted by unexpected medical bills, have access to key preventative services, and are able to obtain essential life-saving care. The Court recognized that the Act was not only constitutional, but a sorely needed comprehensive solution to address the nation’s health care crisis. Now that the Court has spoken clearly, states must uphold their responsibilities and implement the Affordable Care Act quickly and efficiently."

Dr. Elena V. Rios, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Medical Association, stated – “Hispanics face the highest uninsured rates in the nation at thirty-three percent, and will gain the most from today's news. Today’s historic decision upholding the Affordable Care Act should be a cause for celebration within the Hispanic community. All Americans will live healthier lives because of the increased availability of affordable health insurance, expanded healthcare, more readily available preventative services, and easier access to women's, oral and behavioral healthcare services. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court reinforces the notion that health is not and should not be a partisan issue. The Court’s ruling is not only a victory for the Hispanic community, but for the thirty million additional Americans that will now be insured under the ACA.”

Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and CEO of the National Hispanic Council on Aging, stated – “The ability to access quality, affordable health care is paramount to all Americans. Therefore, we applaud the recent decision of the Supreme Court upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Our country boasts a strong tradition of caring for its own, particularly our older adults starting with the enactment of Social Security, and subsequently, Medicare and Medicaid. While not a clean-cut solution to the problems of our health care system, the ACA makes great strides to ensure that all Americans, especially older adults and families, can age with dignity and in the best possible health. Now that the law has survived judicial scrutiny, we are eager for all aspects of the law to be put into effect.”

Established in 1991, The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA) brings together Hispanic leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.