Our Point of View

June 28, 2012

Kaiser Permanente Statement on Supreme Court Ruling on Federal Health Care Reform

Today’s Supreme Court decision on the federal health care reform law resolves much of the legal uncertainty over implementation of the law’s provisions. While acknowledging that political uncertainty still remains, in the interest of our members we plan to continue our extensive reform implementation efforts, which began two years ago when the law first became effective. We want our members to know that they need not be concerned about any disruption of their coverage resulting from the Supreme Court’s decision today.

We are implementing state and federal reform laws as an integrated delivery system, which not only incorporates provisions around health care coverage, but also addresses broader improvements to the way health care is delivered now and in the future. This work involves continuing to improve the quality and integration of care, and ensuring that we have the resources in place — physicians, nurses and other staff, as well as the right health care facilities — to provide the care our members will need. We will continue to be guided by our goals of providing high-quality care, great service and affordability to our customers and members.

We are reviewing the Court’s decision to determine how it may affect the law’s expansion of Medicaid coverage to millions of Americans, which is planned to begin in 2014.