Washington, D.C. – Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward One) released the following statement today after the Supreme Court ruled the Affordable Care Act constitutional:

“This decision is a sweet victory for every American in need of quality health care.  As chair of the Committee on Human Services, I know firsthand that this ruling will improve the lives of 200,000 disadvantaged Washingtonians who qualify for Medicaid,” said Graham

The Supreme Court’s ruling upheld the requirement that every American carry health insurance, saying it was a tax valid under Congress' constitutional authority "to lay and collect Taxes" to provide for "the general Welfare of the United States."

“Today’s action also means children will no longer be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions, seniors will pay less for prescription drugs, students and young adults can stay on their parents’ plans and being a woman can no longer be a pre-existing medical condition,” said Graham.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010.