WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on the Supreme Court's decision on the Affordable Care Act on Thursday:
"Today's historic decision by the Supreme Court is an important moment for our country. The people of Delaware today have renewed confidence that they cannot be denied health care coverage because of pre-existing conditions. That is a victory for the people of the United States.
"The Supreme Court has reaffirmed today its appropriate role in our constitutional order and continued its longstanding practice of deciding cases based on the law and not the prevailing politics of the day. Something as complex and important as health care reform should rise or fall based on an election, not a Court decision.
"The politics of health care reform have always paled in comparison to the people impacted by it. The good news is that every American will now be guaranteed the opportunity to buy health insurance, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Parents will be able to have their sons and daughters covered on their plans until they are 26. No American will be denied coverage because of a cap on lifetime benefits, and insurance companies will no longer be able to automatically charge women higher premiums. Preventative care will come without a co-pay or deductible, and even if your employer doesn't offer health insurance, you'll be able to buy affordable health coverage. These are all very good things for our country and our communities.
"It is now time for the politics of health care reform — and the politicians who have tried to undo the progress our country has made — to move on. It has been considered, debated, signed into law, and now affirmed by the Supreme Court."
