June 28, 2012

HACU Statement on Healthcare

HACU commends the U.S. Supreme Court for making history by upholding the Affordable Care Act.

In a 5-4 decision on June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court upheld President Obama’s Affordable Care Act through taxation.  Chief Justice Roberts provided the swing vote in the final ruling, establishing that though the federal government cannot force people to purchase healthcare, it can enforce healthcare through taxation.

The sweeping and comprehensive health care legislation requires those who do not have health insurance by 2014 to be fined, but state exchange systems and subsidies will help cover these fines. 

“All Americans will benefit from today’s Supreme Court’s decision,” said Antonio R. Flores, President and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). “This is a major victory for the nation and especially for Hispanics.  Hispanics are the most uninsured demographic, and by upholding the healthcare law, the Supreme Court made a positive impact on millions of Hispanic families. The decision will also have an unparalleled impact on all college students, Hispanics included.  Millions of young scholars across the country will now be able to stay on their family’s health plan until they are 26.”

More than 16 million uninsured Hispanics will now have access to healthcare, a longstanding concern of the Hispanic community.  Hispanics are far less likely to receive preventive services but have a higher chance than other populations of being diagnosed with diabetes, obesity, and other cardio-vascular related illnesses.