SEIU Local 503 President Linda J. Burgin and Executive Director Heather Conroy issued this statement after the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 28, 2012, decision on the Affordable Care Act:
Today we are celebrating the resounding victory in the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision affirming the Affordable Care Act as constitutional. After a long and hard struggle over the past two years, it’s good to have this court decision behind us so we can move forward on real health care reform for all Americans.
SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry issued a statement this morning stating that the court’s decision means that the ACA will continue to expand health care coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans, protect consumers from insurance company abuses, and set up state-level exchanges so people can buy lower-cost coverage. She also noted specific individuals who are now benefiting from ACA provisions and thanked those political leaders who stood up for the law. Here’s part of her statement:
“Thanks to President Barack Obama and the members of Congress who believed that passing this law would not only save lives, but endow our children with a more promising and secure future. There are more than 100 million Americans of all political parties, ages, incomes and occupations that are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act.
“Americans everywhere are struggling to afford rent, groceries and gas to get to work. The Court’s decision today is vitally important because now is not the time to slow down the benefits of the law that is making healthcare more affordable. Now is the time to keep America moving forward.”
In response to today’s decision, our International Union has organized more than 30 events in key media markets, state capitals, Congressional offices and federal buildings. With our strategic health care partners, we expect more than 100 press events today across the country. Here in Portland, Jobs with Justice and Oregon Action held a 2 p.m. rally today in Pioneer Square. On Monday, July 2, there will be a national Spanish and English language Member Tele-Townhalls to discuss both this decision and the court’s recent decision on the Arizona immigration case.
We are proud of the work that our Union has done over the past decade to move health care reform forward. Now that the nation’s highest court has affirmed ACA as the law of the land, it’s time to move ahead and achieve affordable health care for everyone.
In Unity,
Linda J. Burgin
SEIU 503 President
Heather Conroy
SEIU 503 Executive Director
