U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Latest Challenge to the Affordable Care Act and Preserves the Landmark Health Care Law for a Third Time

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee applauded today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision to dismiss challenges to the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act leaving the law intact to the benefit of millions of Americans.

“The Supreme Court – in rejecting claims challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act – has once again upheld the law that is helping millions of Americans benefit every day from health care coverage and broad consumer protections.  It is time to move on, focus on improving the law and reach true universal coverage. 

As U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said when he led the coalition of states to protect the Affordable Care Act in court, ‘This shouldn’t be a debate; the ACA has been the law for nearly a decade and is the backbone of our healthcare system.’ 

With today’s high court ruling, and dramatic enrollment increases resulting from the promotion of coverage and new American Rescue Plan subsidies, it is time to stop making health coverage a political fight which has delayed progress and injected unneeded uncertainty into the lives of millions of Americans. The Affordable Care Act provides protection for over 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, put in place an array of other standards to hold health plans accountable and brought coverage within reach to millions, now directly benefiting 31 million Americans, including nearly 6 million Californians.  The law is here to stay, and our attention should be on effectively improving the health of Americans by making coverage more affordable, improving health care, and addressing issues of health equity and disparities. 

In California we have embraced the Affordable Care Act and implemented policies that put consumers first and remove barriers to care. Nationally, the new administration and Congress have leaned-in with new financial help through the American Rescue Plan that lower health insurance premiums for millions of Americans. Today more Americans are seeing the benefits of the Affordable Care Act than ever before.  This is the right direction for Americans across the country and Covered California will continue its work to build on the progress we have made together.”

Covered California is currently holding a special-enrollment period to allow the uninsured, and those insured directly through a health insurance carrier, to sign up for coverage and benefit from the new and expanded financial help available through the American Rescue Plan. The law is dramatically lowering health care premiums and the most recent data from Covered California shows that 680,000 of its 1.55 million enrollees are signed up in quality plans that cost $1 per month.

While the special-enrollment period runs through the end of the year, consumers need to enroll by June 30 if they want to maximize their savings and have coverage that starts on July 1.

About Covered California

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a five-member board appointed by the governor and the Legislature. For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com.