AMCHP applauds the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling in the case of California v. Texas, which sought to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA) based on Congress’ elimination of the individual mandate.

“Today’s ruling is welcome news for the estimated 20 million people who receive their health coverage through programs created under the Affordable Care Act, including the health insurance Marketplace and the Medicaid expansion,” said AMCHP Interim CEO Caroline Stampfel.

The ruling also ensures that other ACA provisions, which directly benefit nearly all women, children, and families in the U.S., will remain in place. These include:

• Extension of health insurance coverage to adult children up to age 26
• Guaranteed coverage, regardless of pre-existing health conditions
• Subsidies for purchase of insurance plans on the Marketplace
• No annual or lifetime dollar limits on benefits paid by insurance companies
• Required coverage of benefit categories once considered optional, including maternity care, prescription drugs, and substance abuse and mental health treatment
• Coverage of all recommended preventive services for women and children
• Medicaid coverage for former foster care youth up to age 26
• Workplace breastfeeding support

In the 11 years since its passage, the ACA has become deeply embedded in our nation’s health care infrastructure. Its contributions to the health and well-being of women, children, and families represent achievement and progress. AMCHP is grateful that the U.S. Supreme Court has reaffirmed the ACA as the law of the land.