The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA) applauds today’s U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by preserving tax credit subsidies that have allowed more than 10 million Americans to obtain health insurance coverage.
The number of adults without health insurance dropped to its lowest level in seven years in 2014 as the ACA took full effect. Without the tax credits, many people would have been unable to obtain health insurance, thus limiting their access to routine preventive care and causing insurance costs to rise.
“It remains PSNA’s goal to explore legislative avenues to increase access to quality, affordable health care which results in better patient outcomes,” states PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “We laud the work of ANA and continue to stand with our patients as we ensure that every citizen of the Commonwealth receives the health care they need and deserve.”
In conjunction with the American Nurses Association (ANA), PSNA has been a steadfast supporter of the 2010 health care reform law and its provisions to expand access to health care; protect consumers; improve the quality of care; emphasize primary care, care coordination, disease management, and prevention; increase community-based care; and utilize nurses to their fullest capabilities as leaders and essential members of multi-disciplinary health care teams.
In May of this year, Governor Wolf invited PSNA and other stakeholders to take part in a discussion surrounding State-based exchanges should this ruling have gone against the ACA Act. PSNA thanks Governor Wolf for the inclusion of registered nurses throughout this discussion and we look forward to continued health care-related conversations.