In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court today confirmed the constitutionality of President Obama’s “Affordable Care Act.” The health care reform law, often referred to as “Obamacare,” will require all individuals to purchase health insurance by 2014.
“Today’s Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act is good news for all artists,” Joseph P. Benincasa, president and CEO of The Actors Fund, said in a statement in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling. “Since 1998, the Artists Health Insurance Resource Center at The Actors Fund has worked to find affordable health insurance and health care for thousands of visual and performing artists. Today’s Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act will help more artists secure health insurance. We look forward to playing a key role in making sure that every artist is insured. Lack of insurance is an ongoing crisis among artists, many of whom are self-employed or work in small businesses that cannot afford to offer it as a benefit. Almost one out of three workers in our community is uninsured.”
