SCOTUS Takes Up Affordable Care Act

Public News Service-PA

(03/26/12) WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court today begins hearing arguments on the constitutionality of provisions of the Affordable Care Act, the national health care reform law. The justices will look at two provisions of the ACA: the mandate that everyone must have insurance, and the expansion of Medicaid.

Melissa Hart, director of the Byron R. White Center for the Study of American Constitutional Law, says it's hard to predict how the court will rule in the case. She says this is because the lower courts' opinions didn't demonstrate consistent rulings, an inconsistency that made it particularly important for the Supreme Court to take the case. Lower courts have for the most part ruled in favor of the law's constitutionality.

"In this case, it's really impossible to look for any tea leaves. It would have been, truly would have been irresponsible not to take it."

Pennsylvania is not on the list of the 26 states that are contesting the individual mandate.

Scott Moss, an associate professor of law at the University of Colorado, thinks the argument that the act violates the initial intent of America's founders is weak.

"One of the first laws Congress passed, called the Second Militia Act of 1792, did mandate that all private citizens have to buy a gun for the goal of military readiness."

Melissa Hart says the briefs in the case don't focus as much on constitutionality as on political policy.

"There's only so much that opponents of the act can say about the constitutional argument because there's not meat there. And so, that gets replaced with other kinds of arguments about the value or lack of value of the Act."

And she adds, the Court doesn't handle bad policies: that's a role for Congress. The Court is scheduled to hear arguments through Wednesday.

The SCOTUS ACA docket is at www.supremecourt.gov.

Support the Affordable Care Act

As we prepare to celebrate the two-year anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, Keystone Progress Education Fund is joining with Know Your Care preparing events and actions across Pennsylvania, leading up to the anniversary on Friday, March 23rd. We’ve been working with our partners to capitalize on this great opportunity to make sure that people understand the benefits that are now available to them as a result of the law and to celebrate the millions of Americans who are already benefiting.

We’re asking people to join us by signing our online petition to support healthcare reform: “I support the Affordable Care Act in Pennsylvania because no government or corporation should deny my rights to quality, affordable health care.”

We are partnering with dozens of organizations to host educational and celebratory actions that are targeted at Pennsylvania citizens who will benefit from the law.

From a trip to the White House on Friday by 150 Pennsylvanians organized by Keystone Progress, to events organized by PennAction in Bucks County and the NEPA Area Labor Federation, our members and allies are spreading the word about the Affordable Care Act and the many benefits it provides.

Our message throughout the week is that #HealthCareWorks, and we’ll be using the stories of real people to educate their peers about the benefits of the law. Follow us on Twitter at @KnowYourCarePA

• Health care works for women, children, seniors – everyone. More than 86 million Americans received preventive care  such as mammograms and colonoscopies for free in 2011.

• Health care works for young adults: 2.5 million young adults are now insured because of the new health care law.

• Health careworks for seniors: 3.6 million Medicare beneficiaries saved more than $2.1 billion on prescription drugs because of the new health care law.

• Health care works for those with pre-existing conditions. Expanded coverage for those with pre-existing conditions: Nearly 50,000 Americans who were denied coverage now have insurance through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.

• Health care works for small businesses: A growing number of businesses offering health care coverage are taking advantage of tax credits available under the law.

Take your stand to support Healthcare Reform by signing our petition or attending one or more events across Pennsylvania.

In Celebration of Healthcare Reform,

Mike, Jamie, Dan, David
For the Keystone Progress Education Fund Team

Live Tweet Up with the White House Monday @ 4:00 PM

Keystone Progress is working with the White House to conduct a Pennsylvania-focused Tweet Up.

It will be held on Monday, March 19 at 4:00 PM (EDST).

What’s a Tweet Up?  It’s an opportunity to ask questions of senior White House staff about issues that concern you.  The difference is that your questions and the answers will be transmitted via Twitter.  That means short and quick answers (140 characters).

Here’s how it works:

•  Follow Keystone Progress on Twitter @KeystoneProgres 
• Using  #AtTheWH  send us your questions You can send questions either before the event or during.  
• White House staff will live Tweet starting at 4:00 on Monday, March 19.
• By following @KeystoneProgress and #AtTheWH you will be able to read the answers to all of the questions.
• Answers will come from a variety of WH staff, but primarily from Jon Carson @JonCarson44 
• Since this week is the Second Anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act, we anticipate many questions about healthcare reform.
• After the Tweet Up, the White House will create a "Storify" blog post with the full Q&A and send it to us.  It will also be available on our blog at www.keystoneprogress.blogspot.com

Whether or not you can join us, make sure you follow us @KeystoneProgres

The Keystone Progress Team

Thanks ObamaCare

The right is disparaging Healthcare Reform by calling it "Obamacare." There's now a movement to reclaim the name. Check out this video: