RI leaders applaud healthcare decision

Posted: 6/28/2012 11:00:26 AM

Members of Rhode Island’s delegation and some healthcare providers are taking a victory lap after the Supreme Court has ruled to uphold President Obama’s healthcare plan.

“Access to affordable health care is a necessity for all Americans, and I am proud that President Obama’s historic health care reform law, which I strongly support, has been upheld by the Supreme Court – this decision ensures that nearly 15,000 Rhode Island seniors will continue to save on their prescription drug costs, more than 7,500 young adults in our state will be able to stay on their parents’ plans until they are 26, and insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage to as many as 54,000 Rhode Island children who live with pre-existing conditions,” said Congressman David Cicilline.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse touted the victory as well. “For the many Rhode Islanders I've heard from who are counting on the reforms in the Affordable Care Act to help them gain access to vital health services, the Supreme Court today sent a clear message that those reforms will go forward. By upholding the law, the Court validated the principle that all Americans should have access to health care. Seniors will continue receiving discounts on prescription drugs, children can continue to stay on their parents’ health insurance policy after college, and individuals suffering from chronic illness won’t need to worry about running into lifetime caps,” said Whitehouse.

Langevin said this issue is particularly close to his heart since he has overcome signifigant health issues. “One of the driving motivations behind my running for Congress in the first place was the belief that everyone should have access to the same high quality care that has allowed me to overcome signficant health challenges in my life. This ruling represents an important victory for tens of millions of Americans without insurance, millions more struggling to afford it, and for our economy, which cannot continue to withstand the costs of our current system’s inefficiencies," said Langevin. Langevin said the bill is a victory to those with pre-existing conditions who have been denied care.

The Hospital Association of Rhode Island also applauded the decision saying the healthcare plan will help provide Rhode Islander’s with affordable care. “More than 120,000 Rhode Islanders currently lack health insurance. Each day, nearly 150 patients seek care in our hospitals without the ability to pay. The cost of uncompensated care exceeded $160 million last year and has become a monumental fiscal burden for our struggling hospitals. The Affordable Care Act will help to alleviate these challenges and ensure that every Rhode Islander has access to quality health care”

Dee DeQuattro | WPRO News