Washington, D.C. – Mary’s Center, a community health center that provides health care, social and educational services to thousands of families in the DC metropolitan area, celebrates the Supreme Court’s ruling on President Obama’s Affordable Care Act. 

“The United States is in desperate need of health care reform. We congratulate President Obama and his team for their leadership to create a more just health care system,” said Maria Gomez, Mary’s Center President and CEO. “Now, we need to work together to create mechanisms for successful implementation. We are ready!”

Of the 24,000 individuals served by Mary’s Center in 2011, 41% were uninsured, 39% had Medicaid, 19% were covered by DC Health Care Alliance (insurance provided by the District to low income residents), and only 1% had private insurance.

Some Mary’s Center participants have already benefited from expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Mary’s Center participant Susannah Plocher took advantage of extended coverage under her parents’ insurance, another provision of the Affordable Care Act. “While I was able to find a job right out of college, I wasn’t making enough money to afford health insurance. Because of the Affordable Care Act, I can now stay on my parents’ plan until age 26.”

The Affordable Care Act enables Mary’s Center to provide preventative care to a larger community. Health promotion and screenings are a significant component of the Mary’s Center mission to save lives and strengthen communities, one family at a time. Furthermore, federal subsidies for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act will enable more Mary’s Center participants to undergo prescribed treatments.

“There is a direct relationship between a community’s wellness and a healthy economy. We believe that investing in healthy bodies and minds sets individuals and families on the path of success, enabling them to move up the economic ladder,” said Maria Gomez. “The Affordable Care Act is a positive step toward ensuring that families are able to meet basic needs.”