Silver Spring, Maryland–(ENEWSPF)–March 26, 2012. As the Supreme Court meets to pass judgment on the 2010 health care law the nation’s largest union and professional association of registered nurses today warned that health care will remain beyond the reach of millions of Americans no matter how the court rules.
“Whether the Court overturns part or all of the law, or the Affordable Care Act remains fully intact, we will not have universal coverage, medical bills will still push too many Americans into bankruptcy or prompt them to self-ration care, and insurance companies will continue to have a choke hold on our health,” said Deborah Burger, RN, co-president of 170,000-member National Nurses United.
Citing recent data about the ongoing healthcare emergency, NNU Co-president Jean Ross noted that “the consequences of the denial of care en masse – now and in the future, with or without the ACA — could not be more ominous. Only more comprehensive reform, Medicare for Life, for all Americans, will finally produce real healthcare security for our country.”
Even with some positive elements, such as permitting young adults up to age 26 remain on their parents health plan, and some limits on insurance industry abuses, the healthcare crisis continues to worsen.
Despite its name the Affordable Care Act has done little to actually make healthcare affordable. Out of pocket health costs for families continue to soar. Nurses now routinely see patients who have postponed needed care, even when it might be life saving, because of the high co-pays and deductibles.
