Patient Advocates Call on Supreme Court to Uphold Affordable Care Act

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Mar 27, 2012, 01:48 ET

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The patient advocacy community today released a statement to show solidarity in support of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The statement was signed by approximately 30 of the nation's leading patient advocacy organizations that serve people with chronic diseases and disabilities. To view the statement and the signatures of the CEOs of the organizations, go to http://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/NHC_Files/Pdf_Files/ACA_statement.pdf.

All of the organizations signing the statement are members of the National Health Council, an umbrella organization that provides a united voice for the more than 133 million Americans with chronic conditions and their family caregivers.

The statement affirmed by the organizations reads as follows:

Founded in 1920, the National Health Council (NHC) provides a united voice for people with chronic conditions. Its members support public policies that result in a health care system that covers everyone, curbs costs responsibly, abolishes exclusions for pre-existing conditions, eliminates lifetime caps on insurance benefits, and ensures access to long-term and end-of-life care.

We believe that although the Affordable Care Act is not perfect and is certain to evolve over time, it is already improving and will continue to improve the lives of people with chronic conditions.

On behalf of the more than 133 million Americans with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers who struggle with health challenges and financial uncertainty, we call on the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act to ensure that people have access to the health care they desperately need.

SOURCE National Health Council