UPDATED - The following statement was issued by Sr. Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, regarding the Supreme Court's decision today to uphold the Affordable Care Act:
The Catholic Health Association is taking time to carefully read and evaluate the Supreme Court’s decision on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and may have additional comments once our review is complete.
We are pleased that, based on an initial read of the ruling, the ACA has been found constitutional and will remain in effect. CHA has long supported health reform that expands access and coverage to everyone. We signed onto amicus briefs encouraging the Court to find in favor of the ACA’s individual mandate and the Medicaid expansion.
As the ruling is examined, Catholic-sponsored health care providers will continue to lead health care transformation – finding new and better ways to provide compassionate, high-quality care while strengthening the communities we serve.
In the coming weeks and months we will continue working closely with our members, Congress and the Administration to implement the ACA as fairly and effectively as possible.
In addition to the statement issued by CHA, Sr. Carol Keehan told NCR: "CHA has worked with many others to find a way to get health coverage for everyone and do it in a plan that respects life issues. We know it is not a perfect plan but it is a major step forward for the most vulnerable as well as for the economic health of our nation." Sr. Carol, you may recall, was the only non-politician to receive one of the signing pens when President Obama signed the ACA. Her continued advocacy for the law, and efforts to implement it wisely and fairly, deserve the respect and praise of all.
