Affordable Care Act Constitutional

As you've no doubt seen, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), including the insurance mandate "tax". This is good news for the millions of Americans without health insurance (or who previously lacked insurance, like the 52,000 Marylanders age 26 and under who now have health insurance through their parents because of the ACA), and the millions more who have insurance but pay the social costs of supporting those in need of care who can't afford it.

Maryland has consistently been in front of other states in terms of implementing the ACA, and this is likely to continue. Barring the Republicans gaining a supermajority in Congress and repealing the act entirely, Maryland is well positioned to take full advantage of the changes now ahead. 

Nonprofit Quarterly has a good roundup of what to expect now that the court has ruled:

• "Expect more opposition advocacy." - Whether this ruling will be a boon for either party in November remains to be seem, but it's definitely an issue that isn't going to go away.
• "Expect resistance to health exchanges in some states" - Not in Maryland, however.  We continue to develop our health exchange as fast as possible.
• "Expect more funding wars."  - This is the outcome that has the most potential for danger to Maryland. If Congress cuts funding, Maryland will have to figure out how to continue making progress with less.
• "Expect attempts to better assist small businesses and nonprofits."
• "Expect increased scrutiny of nonprofit hospitals."