Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-Laredo) released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court decision upholding the health care law:

This decision is a victory for Texans, the middle class and the American people.

With this ruling, Americans will continue to benefit from crucial patient protections, lower costs for the middle class, more coverage for families, greater certainty for hospitals and businesses, and stronger accountability for the insurance industry.

The facts speak for themselves, and it is clear that Americans are better off under the provisions set out in the Affordable Care Act—and there is still more to come.  I hope that my colleagues will work together in a bipartisan manner to continue to make the necessary improvements and adjustments to this law.

Under the Affordable Care Act:

• 90,000 people in the district I represent have received preventative care services under private insurance without paying any copay, coinsurance or deductible. 
• More than 71,000 seniors in the district I represent have received Medicare preventative services without paying any copay, coinsurance or deductible.
• Over 430 small businesses in the district I represent have received tax credits worth 35 percent or more of the cost of providing health insurance to their employees.
• 357,000 young adults in Texas have been able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans, ensuring their continued access to health care.
• Over five million seniors across the nation have saved $3.2 billion on their prescription drugs – an average of $635 saved per senior.

Today’s decision means that our country will continue making a smart investment in our health and economic security.  We have made history for our nation and scored a big win for the Texans, children, seniors, parents and hardworking Americans whose lives will continue to be touched for the better by the Affordable Care Act.

I am proud to be a member of the party that passed Medicare, Social Security and health care reform—three crucial programs that make life better for Texans and all Americans.