What Today Truly Means

In the coming days, the headlines will assign blame and credit for today’s historic ruling by the Supreme Court. The pundits on cable news will continue to peddle the rat race of modern presidential campaigns, turning every minute and meaningless poll result into a sound bite for who’s ahead and who’s behind. 

Before we get too carried away, let’s remember what today truly means:

• More than 30 million Americans will now have access to health insurance. 

• Americans who would have previously been denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions will have access to care.  

• Insurance companies will be banned from putting a lifetime dollar limit on most benefits.

• Tens of millions of Americans will have access to preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies. 

• Young adults will be allowed to stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26.

• Insurance companies will be prevented from raising rates without cause and will be required to provide justification for major rate increases to a new federal body.

• Insurance companies will no longer be able to cancel your coverage because of an honest mistake you or your employer made during the application process.

• Small businesses will receive tax credits to provide insurance for their employees.

These are only some of the provisions in the Affordable Care Act upheld today by the Supreme Court. 

Sometimes all the noise of the political echo chamber can drown out the voices of the millions of Americans who sought, fought for, and defended the remarkable change we achieved with Obamacare. So as we read the headlines and shout at the televisions in the coming days, let’s take a moment and celebrate the vast power of our collective endeavor to form a more perfect union.