The Affordable Care Act is now officially the law of the land after the Supreme Court ruled that the disputed individual mandate was constitutional.
Reaction from within and outside the retail industry — aside from shock, as many expected the conservative Court to rule against the legislation — was mixed, with most making pronouncements that the law was flawed and needed some fixing.
What follows are excerpts of statements issued by health and retail associations after the ruling was announced:
"The health reform law upheld by the Supreme Court simplifies administrative burdens, including streamlining insurance claims, so physicians and their staff can spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork. It protects those in the Medicare 'donut hole,' including the 5.1 million Medicare patients who saved significantly on prescription drugs in 2010 and 2011. These important changes have been made while maintaining our American system with both private and public insurers." - Jeremy A. Lazarus, MD, President, American Medical Association
"Although the Court upheld the law's constitutionality, many problems remain: it penalizes employers too much; it doesn't do enough to reduce the cost of health care; and it is unreasonably complicated and difficult to implement and administer." - Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation
"RILA continues to urge the Administration to protect retailers' ability to offer quality, affordable coverage that fits the unique needs of their workforce and not to undermine the flexible, voluntary system that provides coverage to millions of employees and their families." - Sandy Kennedy, President of the Retail Industry Leaders Association
"Today's historic decision lifts a heavy burden from millions of Americans who need access to health coverage. ... The decision means that hospitals now have much-needed clarity to continue on their path toward transformation." - Rich Umbdenstock President and CEO American Hospital Association
"NACDS will continue to advance pro-patient, pro-pharmacy policies that improve health and reduce costs. These objectives will remain top priorities following today's Supreme Court decision." - Steven C. Anderson, IOM, CAE, President and CEO, National Association of Chain Drug Stores
"Today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold the constitutionality of the individual mandate, a key provision of the Affordable Care Act, makes the future more certain for employers. ... N.G.A. will redouble its efforts to minimize the impact and burdens on independent retail grocers by continuing to work closely with fellow members of the Employers for Flexibility in Healthcare Coalition to educate the administration on the important need for maximum flexibility in regulatory requirements." - Peter Larkin, President and CEO of the National Grocers Association
"There are two provisions in PPACA that specifically impact the grocery industry: a restaurant menu labeling requirement that was incorporated into the legislation just prior to its passage followed by a proposed rule from FDA that could expand to supermarkets the regulations intended for restaurants; and a requirement that customers present a doctor's prescription before being allowed to use an FSA debit card to purchase over-the-counter medicines at their local food stores, while continuing to allow the use of FSA debit cards to purchase eligible items that are not medicines." - Food Marketing Institute
- Economists say health-care ruling gives businesses clarity - Los Angeles Times/The Seattle Times
- AMA: Supreme Court Decision Protects Much-Needed Health Insurance Coverage for Millions of Americans - American Medical Association
- As Supreme Court Rules on Healthcare Reform Law, NACDS Remains Focused on Emphasizing Community Pharmacy's Ability to Save Lives, Reduce Costs - National Association of Chain Drug Stores
- N.G.A. President & CEO Statement on SCOTUS Health Care Decision - National Grocers Association
- Retailers Dismayed By Supreme Court Decision - National Retail Federation
- FMI Reacts to U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Constitutionality of the 2010 Health Care Reform Law: Food Retailers Face Considerable Obstacles - Food Marketing Institute
- RILA Comments on Supreme Court Ruling on the Healthcare Law - Retail Leaders Industry Association
- Statement on Supreme Court Decision on the Affordable Care Act - American Hospital Association
- NCPA Responds to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Health Care Law - National Community Pharmacists Association