Healthcare law: California lawmaker, big insurer react to ruling
A key California lawmaker said he applauds the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act, but adding, “There is still so much left to achieve before 2014.”
State Sen. Ed Hernandez (D-West Covina), chairman of the Senate health committee, said this court decision “will put an end to unnecessary delay and allow us to deliver on the promise of this historic law by expanding health coverage to millions of uninsured Californians.”
Hernandez said he will focus now on several pending bills to implement the federal law at the state level.
“I’m beyond ecstatic,” he said in an interview. “I don’t think I’ve been this happy for a long time.”
Meanwhile, one of the nation’s biggest insurers, WellPoint Inc., sounded a similar note, saying that much work remains to get ready for a massive expansion of coverage. WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross of California.
“The road to implementing healthcare reform will be a challenge, however we look forward to working constructively with policymakers and other key stakeholders to build a healthcare delivery system that provides security and affordability to all Americans,” said company spokeswoman Kristin Binns.
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