Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement today after the Supreme Court decided to uphold the Affordable Care Act.

“With regards to health care, there’s no going back to 2009 or 1789,” Larsen said. “Improvements to our health care are taking root right now, and that progress will continue for Northwest Washington and the rest of America. The Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold the Affordable Care Act is a welcome result for middle class families across Northwest Washington and will bolster the necessary changes taking place in health care.”

“We need to keep our focus on improving health care for all Americans. Improving health care means shifting the focus of health care from volume to value, improving the quality of care instead of just growing the quantity of care.

“Improving health care means keeping Medicare sustainable and affordable by closing the prescription drug donut hole and cracking down on fraud that bilks taxpayers.

“Improving health care means making sure middle class families have a diverse array of options that all offer a high standard of affordable care.

“Improving health care means we need to meet Northwest Washington’s needs so seniors can see the doctors they prefer, veterans have access to the specialty care they need, and families have preventive care that fits their budgets.

“Northwest Washington is already seeing the improvements from the Affordable Care Act. Seniors in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties who are in the Medicare donut hole have saved more than $800 on their prescription medications so far this year alone. Nearly 33,000 kids and 140,000 adults in our area now have health insurance that covers preventive care like check-ups and cancer screenings without co-pays, coinsurance, or deductibles. The Court’s ruling today means those improvements will endure.

“Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, it is time to move forward and make sure that we have health care that meets Northwest Washington’s needs.”