Earlier today, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA). In Massachusetts, that means we can continue benefiting from more accessible, affordable health care made possible by the law.
Already, the ACA is lowering health care costs for tens of thousands of Bay Staters. For example, the law:
- Has made tax credits available to thousands of small businesses in Massachusetts, to help offset costs of providing health insurance for their employees.
- Has helped over 62,000 Bay State seniors afford their prescription drugs, by gradually closing the gap in Medicare coverage (that infamous “donut hole”) that left Massachusetts seniors paying the full cost of their drugs.
- Offered over 20,000 young adults in Massachusetts a new option to stay on their parents’ health plans longer, so they don’t have to worry about going uninsured as they make their way into the workforce.
- Infused new federal funds into the state to support and sustain our Mass health reform law. Over the next ten years, Massachusetts will receive billions from the ACA to support our community health clinics and programs such as MassHealth and Commonwealth Care.
But the Supreme Court’s historic decision was just the first test for these and other benefits. The next test comes in the ballot box this November: we need a federal delegation that will stand by the Affordable Care Act and fight for the health of Massachusetts residents.
Scott Brown ran for election in 2010 based on a platform that he would be the 41st vote against the ACA. Though he failed to block the bill from becoming law, he’s voted time and time again to repeal it.
If he wins re-election, he could well become the 51st vote that Republicans in the Senate need to succeed in repealing the law and rolling back these benefits from Bay State businesses, seniors, and young adults. In contrast, Elizabeth Warren has pledged to support the Affordable Care Act Act so it continues to benefit Massachusetts residents.
Today’s historic Supreme Court decision is the first step in realizing the promise of the Affordable Care Act here in Massachusetts. But to preserve today’s gains, we have to make the right decision at the ballot box in November.
Scott Brown must be playing games with voters to act one way in the Senate and the other way at home:
If Scott Brown keeps playing his little game, he could take important care away from families who need it–or he could make them go bankrupt if he forces them off their insurance by repealing Obamacare.
Elizabeth Warren is the candidate who is not playing any games with this. She’s the real choice.
If elected, I think Romney’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act is likely to fade. The same can be said for Scott Brown. In all likelihood, he will shift to supporting the popular parts of the law, while opposing it as a whole. Yes, Scott Brown will play games. And yes, Elizabeth Warren is a real choice. But, though this law may undergo changes – and it should – it will not be repealed.