WASHINGTON, DC - Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement today in response to the ruling by a Florida federal district court which struck down the Affordable Care Act:

Social Security, the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act and the Minimum Wage Act. These landmark acts changed our country for the better by securing essential freedoms for all Americans and improving our quality of life. Yet, they were initially struck down by lower courts but went on to prevail to make our country more equitable, stable and just. Today, we find ourselves at a similar moment in history.

"Americans cannot afford to lose the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, including discounts for seniors struggling with the cost of lifesaving prescriptions, protections for children due to pre-existing conditions and coverage for young adults up to age 26.

"The Affordable Care Act, not partisan politics, will ultimately prevail. Those who oppose it, or seek to delay its benefits, are playing politics with the lives and livelihoods of their own citizens.

"The healthcare reform law is working for people such as Mark Freeman from Minneapolis who works in a warehouse and has a 21 year old son with autism. Because of the Affordable Healthcare Act, the Freeman family can now sleep at night knowing they can keep their son on their own healthcare coverage.

"In the midst of our nation's jobs crisis, Americans are counting on the law to put them back in control of their own healthcare, stop insurance company abuses and lower escalating healthcare costs."

With 2.2 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy.

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