Late Tuesday night, D.C. Federal Court Judge Gladys Kessler upheld the Affordable Care Act, marking the third time that a court has reviewed the health reform law on its merits and found it constitutional (in addition to the dozen or so challenges that were thrown out based on procedural grounds). This ruling reinforces that the individual responsibility provision of the law was a reasonable measure for Congress to take and rejects the politically motivated arguments of opponents of the law, including judges in Florida and Virginia who struck down the individual responsibility provision.
This victory comes at an important time. Opponents of the law are waging an all out war in an attempt to undermine and ultimately repeal the Affordable Care Act. But this ruling sends a clear signal that the law is sound in its merits and we must continue our implementation work to ensure all Americans enjoy the full benefits the law provides.
To ensure we achieve our goals, no matter the opposition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has continued its work on implementing the new law, announcing just yesterday $4.3 billion in new funds to help establish and expand community-based alternatives to institutional long-term care. This funding will allow states to provide support for two programs to help move Medicaid beneficiaries out of institutions and into their own homes or other community settings.
Thirteen states will receive more than $45 million in Money Follows the Person (MFP) grants to start that program in their states, with a total of $621 million committed through 2016. In addition, HHS has proposed rules to allow all states to access a potential $3.7 billion in increased federal funding to provide community-based personal attendant services and supports through the Community First Choice Option program.
The Affordable Care Act has already benefited millions of Americans, but despite this, the opposition will continue their baseless and politically motivated attacks. Tuesday’s ruling, as well as the previous rulings, should serve as an inspiration as we move forward in our implementation work and our goal of bringing high-quality, affordable health coverage and care for all Americans.
