Supreme Court Rules That the Affordable Care Act is Constitutional

Decision represents great win for children and families across the nation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2012 [Chicago, IL] – Today the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional. This represents a great win for America’s children, and their families. In terms of the impact on healthy child development and the prevention of child abuse and neglect, this ruling means that millions of children and young people across the nation will continue to benefit from such provisions as:

• Allowing young people to remain on their parents' insurance until age 26, 2.5 million young people have taken advantage of this protection since the law was passed; 
• Prohibiting insurance companies from denying coverage to children with pre-existing conditions; 
• The continuation of funding for the very successful SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Plan) through 2014, at which time other provisions to provide children coverage will take effect; 
• The elimination of lifetime caps on benefits; and 
• The continuation of funding for Home Visiting, including funding for Healthy Families America, which, over the next five years, will serve over 100,000 families.

Further, this also guarantees a healthy pool of individuals paying for insurance which lessens the likelihood of insurance companies raising the price of premiums, leaving more Americans able to afford coverage, and an increased number families who won’t struggle to have their most basic health care needs met.

"Today, Prevent Child Abuse America thanks the Supreme Court for their decision to uphold ACA and the protections it provides to children, youth and families, particularly those most vulnerable," said James M. Hmurovich, President & CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America. “This kind of decision reflects that we, as a country, can take steps to positively impact the healthy development of children and their families; and do more than pay lip service to the idea that children, all children, are our priority.”

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About Prevent Child Abuse America
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 49 states and over 400 Healthy Families America, home visitation sites in 37 states, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about what we’re doing to prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit our websites, here and here.