The Supreme Court ACA Decision: What Happens Now For Adolescents and Young Adults?

On June 28, 2012, the United States Supreme Court affirmed the constitutionality of critically important components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA), allowing the vast majority of the Act to stand (“ACA decision”). In light of the November 2012 election results, the ACA is now more likely to be implemented. This issue brief describes the implications of the Supreme Court’s ACA decision for adolescents and young adults. The ACA contains numerous provisions that aim to increase insurance coverage through private and public health insurance; other ACA provisions hold promise for improving access to a range of preventive services. This brief reviews these provisions and identifies key questions to monitor as ACA implementation proceeds at the federal and state level. Specifically, the brief discusses issues related to the “individual mandate,” state health insurance exchanges, subsidies and protections in private insurance, Medicaid expansion, other Medicaid and CHIP requirements, and preventive health services.

Download the Brief:

The Supreme Court ACA Decision: What Happens Now For Adolescents and Young Adults?

Additional background on young adult coverage in the ACA can be found in two briefs published by CAHL and NAHIC in March of 2012 and August of 2010:

Access to Health Care for Young Adults: The Affordable Care Act of 2010 Is Making A Difference (2012)

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: How Does it Help Adolescents and Young Adults? (2010)