NGLCC Praises Supreme Court for Upholding Key Provision of Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, D.C.—June 25, 2015— The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is thrilled that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the nationwide tax subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, in a ruling that preserves health insurance for millions of Americans and suggests the court is responsive to the needs of all Americans.

 

Today’s decision is a victory for both the small business and LGBT communities. 

 

As the business voice of the LGBT community, NGLCC recognizes how proper healthcare is necessary for the economic, social, and personal wellbeing of our community. LGBT individuals are disproportionately uninsured and marginalized by the healthcare system. As a community with unique healthcare needs, it is vital that LGBT individuals have affordable and customizable healthcare options in order to promote the wellbeing of the community at large. 

 

As the nation’s only third party certifier of LGBT-owned businesses and a stalwart champion of small businesses in general, NGLCC strongly affirms that access to affordable health insurance allows our entrepreneurial economy to thrive. Prior to the ACA, a high percentage of small business owners were unable to purchase, let alone, afford adequate health insurance. A study from the Kaiser Family Foundation, published before the implementation of the healthcare law, found that one out of every four small business owners were uninsured. The inability to access insurance and necessary healthcare was a pronounced barrier to starting a small business. Many innovative and driven individuals shied away from starting their own business out of fear of losing healthcare benefits for themselves and their families. 

 

The ruling guarantees that hardworking individuals across the country will be able to start their own business without jeopardizing their personal health, security, and wellbeing.