Medical groups laud Supreme Court's decision on Affordable Care Act

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(CBS News) The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld most of President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the controversial individual mandate that requires most Americans to get health insurance.

The law was designed to extend health coverage to the 50 million Americans who don't have insurance.

In a 5-4 decision the court said the federal government has power to fine Americans who don't acquire insurance because it's considered a tax.

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In other parts of the ruling, the Act's provision that requires insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions stands, as does an end of lifetime limits on coverage and a provision that allows children to stay on their parents' insurance until they are 26 years old. The latter part of the law is already in effect, and a recent study found 6.6 million young adults between ages 19 and 25 stayed on or joined their parents' health plans because of the law.

Read the Supreme Court Decision

The court did strike down the expansion of Medicaid to cover more people in poverty as unconstitutional. On the Medicaid issue, a majority of the court held that the Medicaid expansion is constitutional but what isn't constitutional is for the federal government to withhold Medicaid funds for states that don't comply with the expansion provisions.

"Nothing in our opinion precludes Congress from offering funds under the ACA to expand the availability of health care, and requiring that states accepting such funds comply with the conditions on their use," Justice Roberts wrote in the ruling. "What Congress is not free to do is to penalize States that choose not to participate in that new program by taking away their existing Medicaid funding."

CBS MoneyWatch reports the provision would have expanded to 16 million individuals under 65 who made less than or around $30,000 a year for a family of four. With the court prohibiting punishment for states, the government can withhold new funds from states that don't comply, but cannot withhold all Medicaid funding, according to MoneyWatch.

MoneyWatch: What the court's health care ruling means for you

Medical organizations and health care professionals weighed on the historic decision.

"The American Medical Association has long supported health insurance coverage for all, and we are pleased that this decision means millions of Americans can look forward to the coverage they need to get healthy and stay healthy," the largest professional society of U.S. doctors said in a statement. "The expanded health care coverage upheld by the Supreme Court will allow patients to see their doctors earlier rather than waiting for treatment until they are sicker and care is more expensive. The decision upholds funding for important research on the effectiveness of drugs and treatments and protects expanded coverage for prevention and wellness care, which has already benefited about 54 million Americans."

Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association said today's decision will benefit America's heart health for decades to come.

"By upholding the law, the nation's highest court has sent a clear message that patients should be the first priority in an ever-changing healthcare arena," Brown said in the statement. "Under the law's robust provisions, we are expanding access to preventive care and medicines to reduce an individual's risk factors; placing a stronger emphasis on community prevention and wellness; and providing access to the care patients need to recover after a heart attack or stroke so they can lead longer, more productive lives."

Brown added the law will especially help the 122 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 7.3 million uninsured individuals with some form of heart disease or stroke.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents 60,000 pediatricians, stood behind the Court's ruling in a statement.

"Today, the Supreme Court upheld a law that invests in children's health from the ground up," said AAP President Dr. Robert W. Block. "Pediatricians have already seen firsthand that health reform works," he said. "Since the Affordable Care Act took effect, millions of children with pre-existing conditions gained health care coverage; 14 million children with private insurance received preventive health services with no co-pay; and 3.1 million more young adults gained coverage through their parents' plans."

The American College of Physicians said in a statement that every American will benefit from today's Supreme Court's decision.

"We are pleased that the Supreme Court's ruling resolves the legal questions so that these and other reforms can go forward," said Dr. David L. Bronson, president of the American College of Physicians. "Taken together, these reforms will improve health care for everyone, including those of us who are already insured."

Women's health was often spotlighted throughout debates on the Act, namely the free preventive care provision which also covers contraception. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in a statement it applauded the Supreme Court's ruling.

"The Affordable Care Act helps ensure all Americans have access to affordable coverage with important consumer protections and benefits, including comprehensive maternity coverage and well-woman care," said ACOG president Dr. James T. Breeden. "We urge all states to act swiftly to implement these important access and coverage guarantees."

[astrafly]

The "Affordable" Care Act... Sounds nice but can the government afford it? I wonder if the Supreme Court realizes what impact it'll have on the frail US economy.

[JEngdahlJ]

What direction is preventive care utilization heading?
http://www.healthcaretownhall.com/?p=5596

[dgammons]

The Romney camp must really be in a quandry regarding how to spin this into something bad...what to do, what to do, especially given that this plan was based off of 'his' model. Congratulations America.

[markag55]

It's hard to understand, given the fact that almost every health related professional organization (especially those involved in prevention) likes the ACA, especially to cover pre-existing conditions as well as extending coverage to the poor. We all lose money when people are forced to get their primary coverage in an emergency room. What's wrong with all those people who are against this? It's just common sense.

[elliesamericana]

Right, it is just common sense. Like Social Security, we will all benefit from it, but then these same people who are against healthcare for all are against Social Security. Respectfully, retired US Army Medical Officer.

[CaptainSmollett]

News Flash: Obama just raised taxes on the poor and middle class (according to the Supreme Court).

[elliesamericana]

As a healthcare professional, let me also weigh in with my support for the Affordable Healthcare Act. Like Social Security, back in 1935, it is a start, but it is a good start. We still have Americans who have no basic coverage and as a nation, we must find a way to provide them with proper care. Note that those who opposed the law were politicians who had tucked themselves into the pockets of the health insurance companies. The public who opposes it generally falls into the category of those who hear only the neocon soundbites, like the one about this law coming between you and your doctor. NEVER does this law do that. It addresses the problem of Americans not being able to afford insurance, nor pay the bill for care. The neocons will also throw out a huge smokescreen about it killing jobs, raising your insurance rates, promoting death panels. NONE of this is true. We will be a better nation for this, but be advised the fight is not over. Opposition is well funded by corporate money. Respectfully, retired US Army Medical Officer.

[graylady1940]

Thank you for a thoughtful response and reminder that we must continue to be vigilant. We must vote for Democrats in November or all will be lost.

[CatKersh]

I don't believe that ACA honestly addresses the problem of Americans not being able to afford insurance. The honest way to address that problem is to address the COST of care. Truly, insurance companies moved to a Reasonable & Customary standard from a fee-for-service schedule thereby allowing providers to inflate pricing. Also, intensity of care, costs attributed to research & development in both technology and drug arenas,as well as shareholder earning pressures, have added to the price. In the years from 1960 to 2005, the proportion of GDP devoted to health care increased from 5.1 to 15.3%; this is projected to increase to 20.8% in 2018. Inflation in the healthcare sector consistently outpaces the overall inflation rate. Let's cure the disease, not manage it. As the Head of Household @ 140% of poverty level, I have little hope that the ACA is going to help me.