Disability Rights Advocates Laud Health Care Ruling

For Immediate Release            
6/28/2012                   

Contact:    David Card
202.408.9514 x122
press@ndrn.org

WASHINGTON – The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) announced on Thursday its strong support of the United States Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

“This is an especially important victory for people with disabilities who face so many obstacles and discrimination by the health care industry," said Curt Decker, NDRN executive director.

The ACA will expand access to healthcare for almost 30 million Americans as well as add and strengthen existing protections for consumers in the insurance market. Today’s decision to uphold the expansion of healthcare access, including the individual mandate and numerous insurance market reforms underscores the importance of healthcare as a basic human right that impacts the wellbeing of every individual, family budgets, the economy and our values as Americans.

In particular, the Court’s decision will ensure that health insurance companies cannot deny coverage based on preexisting conditions or discriminate based on an individual’s health status. Also, more Americans will have access to quality healthcare and long-term home and community based care through an expansion of the state-run Medicaid system. Already, more than 3 million young adults under the age of 26 have been covered through additional market reforms. Most importantly, though, the ruling affirms the importance of services and protections for individuals with disabilities through access to habilitative and rehabilitative services and devices, mental health and substance disorder services, preventive and wellness services, chronic disease management and basic services for children.

“While we celebrate this ruling today, we must also continue to work to protect these reforms and any efforts to repeal the ACA,” said Decker.

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The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and the Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. Collectively, the Network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services to people with disabilities in the United States.