St. Anthony’s Group Supports Court's Health Care Decision

Hospitals, a key element in the national health care discussion, have expressed relief over the to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Health Care Act.

“Today's historic decision lifts a heavy burden from millions of Americans who need access to health coverage,” said in a statement Rich Umbdenstock, President and CEO of the American Hospital Association. “The promise  of coverage can now become a reality.”

Lois Kendall, spokesperson for , said the hospital does do not have a formal statement the Supreme Court’s ruling. However, she said, as a member of the Missouri Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association and the Catholic Health Association, they are in line with their statements.

“St. Anthony’s joins with their voices and unites behind their efforts to find new and better ways to provide compassionate, high quality care to our patients in a changing healthcare environment,” Kendall said.

The Catholic Hospital Association, which in the past has opposed Obama’s health care plan due to its provisions regarding contraceptive coverage, also supported the Supreme Court’s ruling.  

“We are pleased that, based on an initial read of the ruling, the ACA has been found
constitutional and will remain in effect,” according to a statement released by Sr. Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States. “CHA has long supported health reform that expands access and coverage to everyone. We signed onto amicus briefs encouraging the Court to find in favor of the ACA’s individual mandate and the Medicaid expansion.”

Finally, the Missouri Hospital Association also praised the ruling.

“The clarity that the court has provided in ruling on the ACA was essential to providers’ efforts to build a better system,” said a statement by the association. “The ACA was a starting point in a sea change in health care. As we shift into a more inclusive and accountable system, we should continually evaluate successes and failures as we work to improve the system as a whole.”