State advocates hit the streets, airwaves, and Internet to trumpet Supreme Court win

Last week, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act—an amazing victory for all Americans.

While it was a long-awaited decision, advocates didn’t sit on their hands. They did what they do best – they organized. Thursday, Friday and over the weekend, health advocates across the country took to the streets, airwaves, print media, Twitter and steps of state houses to celebrate the ruling and let people know what the ACA means for them. There so many different events and activities happening we cannot even keep track!

Here are a few highlights:

• • Georgians for a Healthy Future was featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as one of five asked to provide their perspectives on the ACA.
• • Michigan Consumers for Healthcare held press conferences around the state with coalition partners and supporters – including health providers, women’s groups and small businesses.
• • Pennsylvania Health Access Network, North Carolina Justice Center, Ohio Consumers for Health Coverage and their partners held rallies and press conferences across their states in the days following the ruling. New Yorkers rallied from downtown Manhattan to Albany and Binghamton to Buffalo and even had their celebratory moment captured by The New York Times.
• • Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, the savvy social media leaders that they are, released a video about the decision to accompany their previously released video “Don’t Deny Us” and innovative website.
• • Health Access California also took to social media and showed they are #2legit2quit - fighting for the ACA and the health care people need.
• • Although advocates got moving as soon as the decision came, they were able to take a moment and cheer before they got back to work making sure their communities know this landmark decision means: children with pre-existing conditions will remain covered; senior citizens will continue to benefit from lower prescription drug costs; young adults can stay on their parents' insurance as they start a career or continue their education; and small business owners can receive tax credits to help them provide affordable coverage to their employees.

The ruling assures that the ACA can and will continue to benefit millions of people across the country. We want to thank all of our partners who work tirelessly every day for the people in their states and communities and across the country. We hope in between all of the organizing, people can take a break and celebrate before getting back to work to continue down the path toward affordable, quality health care.

 -- Reena Singh, Associate Director, State Consumer Health Advocacy