Press Releases

Statement Regarding the Supreme Courts ruling on the Affordable Care Act and Arizona Immigration Law

In a tremendously busy week, the United States Supreme Court has ruled on two momentous cases, the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act and the Arizona Immigration Law. The court ruled to uphold the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act and ruled to strike down 3 of the 4 provisions of the Arizona Immigration Law. National Action Network fully supports the decision of the Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act, but holds some reservations about the Arizona Immigration Law.

This historic decision by the United States Supreme Court to uphold the major provisions of the Affordable Care Act is a step in the right direction to ensure that all Americans will be able to afford and maintain health care. No longer will low income families be deprived of health insurance because they cannot afford quality health care. Individuals with pre-existing conditions will not be discriminated against and denied coverage. Women and senior citizens will no longer be forced to pay higher premiums in order to obtain coverage. National Action Network joins in the sentiment of our Founder and President, Rev. Al Sharpton, when he said “The Supreme Court’s decision upholding President Obama’s Affordable Care Act is a breakthrough of sunshine in a long dark night of right-wing assaults on the American middle and working class”. This ruling validates the opinion that all Americans have a fundamental right to adequate health care.

Millions have benefited from provisions of the Affordable Care Act that have already been enacted. Insures must provide family coverage to children up to the age of 26, which has allowed over 2.5 million young adults to stay insured while attending college or when they are unable to find a job. Preventative care services, such as mammograms, have been provided to women across the country.  Senior citizens have saved thousands on their prescription drugs. Also, insurers are barred from placing lifetime caps on benefits. With today’s decision, over 30 million more will benefit from the Affordable Care Act beginning in 2014. We know that the fight to keep the Affordable Care Act is not over and we will continue to take on anyone that tries to repeal or roll back this bill.  National Action Network applauds the United States Supreme Court for standing up for the health care needs of the American population.

Additionally, National Action Network commends the United States Supreme Court for striking down three provisions to the Arizona Immigration Law earlier this week that infringed on the rights of the federal government to set immigration policies. We are still concerned about the one provision that was upheld by the Supreme Court. We believe the provision requiring state law enforcement to determine the immigration status of anyone that they “reasonably suspect” is an illegal immigrant when making a stop or arrest is undoubtedly racial profiling.  This ruling decision disparately impacts the Latino community and tramples on their civil rights. We are concerned that the ability to question a person who is Latino and/or looks like an immigrant when stopped and ask to see their “papers” creates an opportunity for profiling and becomes condemning practice that is unacceptable. We will continue to be vigilant about this issue and will continue to work to see the remaining provision struck down.