With the Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act, Western New York health care providers are now ready to roll up their sleeves and begin to figure out how to move forward.
"We have a direction for the county, that healthcare reform is the law," said Dr. Michael Cropp, president & CEO of Independent Health.
Dr. Cropp reacted in a live interview with WBFO & AM-970 late Thursday morning with Mark Scott.
Dr. Cropp said the Act will set the stage to get more people into the system, creating a equitable way to get them covered.
"Now we have to get to the real work of making healthcare better and affordable," said Dr. Cropp.
BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is responding to the decision.
BlueCross BlueSheild says it is committed to adhering to the United States Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Affordable Care Act(ACA).
“For more than 75 years, we have been committed to provide high-quality health care coverage, offering security and stability to our members,” Alphonso O’Neil-White, President and CEO, BlueCross BlueShield, said. “As we continue to implement the law, we will work with policymakers to resolve provisions in the Affordable Care Act that result in increased costs. On behalf of ourBlueCross BlueShield of Western New Yorkmembers, we will continue to lead efforts in local communities — partnering with doctors, nurses, hospitals, and others — to help people stay well, control costs, improve quality and better manage their care when they need it.
“We’ve seen many changes in health care over the years. The one thing that hasn’t changed — and will not change — is our commitment to providing our members security and stability when it comes to their health care.”
The Western New York Healthcare Association is applauding today's historic decision.
"I am thrilled, as a result of this, we will have a healthier Western New York," John Bartimole, president of the Western New York Healthcare Association.
The organization works to serve as an advocate and educator on health care issues.
Bartimole said he believes the Affordable Care Act is already pure healthcare reform, now it's the consumers turn to seek the services.
Bartimole says the primary care capacity in this region is most worrisome. He calls it a "tough practice" and one of the lowest compensated part of the medical industry.
Under the new law, insurance programs will have until 2014 to set up access for the millions of Americans who would be seeking health insurance.
Given the complexity of the ruling, BlueCross BlueShield will hold a Supreme Court Symposium on Friday, June 29, at 10 a.m. WBFO & AM-970 will be streaming the symposium live on our Website.