Americans Sigh in Relief and NAMI Praises the Supreme Court Decision to Uphold the ACA and Preserve Access to Health Insurance for Millions

Posted on June 17, 2021

Arlington, VA — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) today released the following statement from CEO Daniel H. Gillison Jr, on the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA):

"Today’s Supreme Court decision upholding the ACA is both a victory and a sigh of relief for millions of Americans, especially people with mental illness. The Court threw out the case, ruling that the plaintiffs did not have standing to bring the lawsuit. This decision means that insurance coverage options and protections for people with pre-existing conditions, like mental illness, will remain in place.

"The ACA provides people with mental illness increased access to treatment by requiring coverage of mental health care, making insurance more affordable, extending mental health parity protections, and ending discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions. If the Supreme Court had struck down the ACA, the results would have been devastating, indeed life-threatening, for millions of individuals and families. Since its passing in 2010, the law has played a central role in creating a more fair and equitable health care system.

Now that the future of the ACA seems secure, NAMI stands ready to assist lawmakers in their efforts to strengthen the law and ensure all people with mental illness can access the quality care they need and deserve."

Learn more about why the Affordable Care Act is so important for people with mental illness in this video, issue brief, policy position, and amicus brief to the Supreme Court.