Five years after the Affordable Care Act, a landmark achievement for President Barack Obama’s administration, was signed into law, the Supreme Court upheld a questionable tenet of the law that proved vital to its survival.
The case argued over a discrepancy in the language of the Act that was unclear whether it required individual states to set up health care exchanges in order for citizens to qualify for the Act’s subsidies. The Supreme Court held the Federal exchange was a sufficient portal for enrollment and that, in passing the bill, Congress intended for the entire nation to be eligible to participate in the ACA’s exchanges.
Since the ACA was introduced to Congress, Republican leaders have politicized its every clause and used baseless rhetoric to dissuade the Act’s supporters. Despite its passage, many politicians continued to demonize the legislation and peddle harmful, regressive rumors about the law and its effects. Gov. Bobby Jindal even spurned the $1 million the federal government offered for the state to set up a local exchange. His refusal to expand Medicaid programs also cost the state money in compliance with federal expansions while declining the robust services on principle despite the fact that taxpayers are now paying for them.
Hordes of candidates have centered their agendas on “repealing Obamacare,” but those efforts have long failed as the exchanges reach an established patronage and millions of Americans realize the positive impact on their lives and the stability of the country’s healthcare industry.
More than 17 percent of Louisiana residents were unable to receive health care coverage before the ACA took effect and exchanges officially opened, making our state and its citizens especially vulnerable. The article of the law questioned in front of the Supreme Court determined whether more than 140,000 people in this state would receive subsidy credits from the federal government.
The ACA is undeniably advantageous for Louisiana’s citizens and economy. Its requirements and regulations have provided coverage opportunities for thousands here and saved state taxpayers money by reducing the costs of uninsured medical bills often absorbed by governmental and charitable clemency.
The Supreme Court’s decision last week ensured that affordable health care coverage would remain available for millions of people across the country. This monumental decision assured the American people that important social reforms will continue and progress will be achieved. As the President said, the ACA is “here to stay,” for American and Louisiana citizens.
Louisiana residents enjoy more affordable, higher quality health care as a result of the ACA and the help it offers to average citizens. The state suffers high rates of illness and pays millions of dollars to treat diseases that could be prevented by regular attention to personal health. The Act is a smart, helpful measure which has already reformed the way Americans receive and pay for health care in a way that puts patients first and ensures fairness and quality. Social reforms like the ACA are important for our nation’s growth.
David LaPlante is a 20-year-old mass communication senior from Baton Rouge.