SEIU Minnesota responds to U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Affordable Care Act

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St. Paul, MN—Service Employees International Union (SEIU) says today’s (Thursday, June 28) Supreme Court ruling moves the nation forward by saving lives and promising every single American a better future.

SEIU Minnesota believes today’s ruling is a resounding victory for working people and for the more than 100 million Americans of all political parties, ages, incomes and occupations who are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act.

In a news release, SEIU said, “Today, the court rejected the cynical approach of corporations and Republican extremists who consistently have put profits and politics ahead of working people and whose cold and bitter vision for America is simply that we are all on our own.

“The fact is, the various lawsuits that resulted in this being taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court were politically motivated and brought by Republican governors and corporate interests. SEIU Healthcare Minnesota’s nurses, doctors, and caregivers know, firsthand, there’s no room for such extreme politics in the overall governance of our healthcare system,” says Julie Schnell, president of SEIU Healthcare Minnesota (HCMN).

“The decision today is vitally important for working people trapped in the toughest economic crisis in a generation,” said Schnell.  “Justices made a decision that now is not the time to slow down the benefits of the law that is making healthcare more affordable.”

“Our members worked tirelessly on behalf of all Minnesotans and played a critical role in the original passage of the Affordable Care Act. Their strong advocacy has, two years later, meant we’ve seen Americans of all ages and backgrounds now have greater access to affordable health coverage,” said Schnell.

Schnell says today’s ruling does not make the health care insurance crisis disappear in this country. She says the freedom to make choices over access to health insurance and healthcare should be a right in America, not a privilege.  “Americans will continue to be squeezed by higher premiums, more and more people will lose coverage due to high costs they won’t be able to afford and access to healthcare will be further limited as a result.”

2011 Minnesota Statistics
Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/CDC:

• Number of Minnesotans with Medicare who saved money on prescription drugs thanks to health care reform: 57, 610. Savings: $33,963,871

• Number of Minnesotans with Medicare that Received Preventative Services thanks to health care reform: 424,007

• Number of Minnesotans who now no longer have a lifetime limit on their health care insurance due to reforms: 3,547,000

• Number of Minnesota young adults (to age 26) have gained health care insurance under their parents’ plans: 32,189

• How many Minnesotans gained coverage in 2011 under the pre-existing coverage protection under the new reform? 789

Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman, and Health Commissioner Ed Ehlinger today (Thursday, June 28) released the following statement on the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act:

“We are pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to fully uphold the Affordable Care Act.   This ruling is an affirmation of the reform efforts currently underway in Minnesota to improve health and lower the cost of care.  The ruling signifies real progress and important protection for citizens across Minnesota: affordable insurance for small business, young people can stay on their parents insurance until age 26, and guaranteed coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Minnesota has always been a national leader in health care and the administration will continue efforts to increase quality and improve access to insurance and affordable care will continue.”