The historic ruling by the Supreme Court to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a major victory for Americans and a breakthrough for public health in the nation and in our state. The population's health is an essential ingredient of a strong society. It enhances a society's ability to innovate, to be productive, to nurture future generations, and get the most out of life. This ruling supports efforts to achieve health for all and gives a fresh impetus to Maryland's strong commitment to provide affordable health care for all of its citizens to eliminate risk factors that contribute to health disparities.
The ACA will enable us to make further progress in addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations. The extension of Medicaid benefits covering up to 138% of the federal poverty level should permit an additional 219,000 Marylanders to be eligible. The additional support for community health centers will help existing centers and support new construction. Funds for the National Health Service Corps will support needed providers to help Marylanders who live in underserved areas. Moreover, key provisions of the law will help to insure Marylanders with chronic diseases and pre-existing conditions, protecting them from losing coverage just when they need it most, and will insure young people under 26 so that they no longer have to risk being without insurance.
As a School of Public Health, we will continue to advance a better state of health with a focus on promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing disease, supporting health literacy and ensuring health in all policies. The ruling gives us tremendous hope for a future that embraces health as we continue to prepare future generations of public health practitioners and academicians who will use this law to move more aggressively toward eliminating health disparities and attaining health equity.
The ACA will enable us to make further progress in addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations. The extension of Medicaid benefits covering up to 138% of the federal poverty level should permit an additional 219,000 Marylanders to be eligible. The additional support for community health centers will help existing centers and support new construction. Funds for the National Health Service Corps will support needed providers to help Marylanders who live in underserved areas. Moreover, key provisions of the law will help to insure Marylanders with chronic diseases and pre-existing conditions, protecting them from losing coverage just when they need it most, and will insure young people under 26 so that they no longer have to risk being without insurance.
As a School of Public Health, we will continue to advance a better state of health with a focus on promoting healthy lifestyles, preventing disease, supporting health literacy and ensuring health in all policies. The ruling gives us tremendous hope for a future that embraces health as we continue to prepare future generations of public health practitioners and academicians who will use this law to move more aggressively toward eliminating health disparities and attaining health equity.
Dean Robert S. Gold and the senior leadership of the School of Public Health
For more reactions from University of Maryland faculty members, visit SCOTUS Health Care Decision: Faculty Quotes.
For more information, please contact Kelly Blake, communications director for the School of Public Health at kellyb@umd.edu or (301) 405-9418.
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