Affordable Care Act Struck Down

In the midst of trying to boost the U.S. economy, people’s lives continue.  Diseases mount.  Babies are born.  Diagnoses are made. Although much focus is being placed on the generation of new jobs, the Labor Movement continues to advocate for workers on issues that concern their daily lives.

How often do recruiters face questions from employers and job candidates about health care?  Paying for health care is central to employers trying to figure out how many employees they can hire and– of course– critical to employees trying to figure out how to keep their families healthy. When negotiating job offers or talking about a new position, health care options and insurance is often “last on the list,” but of course it’s really one of the most important aspects of current employment.

This week, a Florida federal district court struck down the Affordable Care Act. Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement on Monday in response to the ruling:

“Social Security, the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act and the Minimum Wage Act. These landmark acts changed our country for the better by securing essential freedoms for all Americans and improving our quality of life.  Yet, they were initially struck down by lower courts but went on to prevail to make our country more equitable, stable and just.  Today, we find ourselves at a similar moment in history.

“Americans cannot afford to lose the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, including discounts for seniors struggling with the cost of lifesaving prescriptions, protections for children due to pre-existing conditions and coverage for young adults up to age 26.

“The Affordable Care Act, not partisan politics, will ultimately prevail. Those who oppose it, or seek to delay its benefits, are playing politics with the lives and livelihoods of their own citizens.

“The healthcare reform law is working for people such as Mark Freeman from Minneapolis who works in a warehouse and has a 21 year old son with autism. Because of the Affordable Healthcare Act, the Freeman family can now sleep at night knowing they can keep their son on their own healthcare coverage.

“In the midst of our nation’s jobs crisis, Americans are counting on the law to put them back in control of their own healthcare, stop insurance company abuses and lower escalating healthcare costs.”