Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) is disappointed in Federal District Court Judge for the Northern District of Texas Reed O’Connor’s ruling that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is unconstitutional.

Our company’s mission, to improve our members’ health and peace of mind by facilitating their access to affordable, high-quality healthcare, and our vision of passionately leading a state of health and well-being across Rhode Island, are completely aligned with the spirit and intent of the ACA.

In fact, BCBSRI and the state of Rhode Island had already adopted many ACA protections before the ACA was enacted, including:

• Making health insurance available to everyone, regardless of any pre-existing medical conditions
• Allowing young people to stay on their parents’ health plans until age 26
• Charging no out-of-pocket costs for some preventive services and screenings
• Supporting no lifetime dollar limits on benefits
• Not varying premiums based on gender

These protections are all designed to create a strong, sustainable health insurance market.

This ruling is the first step in what we expect to be a lengthy legal process. BCBSRI members can be assured that their health coverage, and the financial assistance a number of them may receive to help them with their health insurance costs, remain in place.

BCBSRI will continue to ensure that Rhode Islanders have access to high-quality, affordable coverage. This is a commitment that defines us as a local company dedicated to the communities we serve.