Letter to the Editor from Senator Kenneth Wayne Jones, Chairman, Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus.
Subject: U.S. Supreme Court Decisions on the Arizona Immigration Law and the Affordable Care Act.
June 29, 2012
For Immediate Release
Contact Senator Kenneth Wayne Jones
This was an important week for Mississippi’s poor and minority families and, indeed, for all Mississippians as the U.S. Supreme Court released two key decisions.
Affordable Care Act
Thursday, the Court held that President Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act, some parts which are already in effect, stands in accordance with the principles of the Constitution of this great nation. As a result, some of the protections Mississippians will see are as follows:
· Sharing in the responsibility of their own healthcare by purchasing coverage at affordable premiums.
· No co-pay preventive care.
· Elimination of higher premiums for women,
· Elimination of pre-existing conditions.
· Elimination of lifetime maximums on coverage.
· Coverage for children and young adults until age 26.
· Lower prescription costs for Medicare recipients.
In addition to creating an opportunity for a healthy and able workforce, the Affordable Care Act includes a host of helpful provisions for small business owners, including:
· Tax credits to help with costs of covering employees.
· Assistance with costs of retirement plans for employees.
· Assistance for workers with pre-existing conditions.
· Elimination of preventive care co-pays for workers.
· Elimination of higher premiums for women workers.
· Elimination of lifetime maximum on coverage for workers.
Arizona Immigration Law Rejected
In reminding states that the federal government, alone, has “broad, undoubted power over immigration and alien status,” the Supreme Court struck 3 of the 4 contested provisions of the law, and it left the door open to striking the “papers please” provision if its application is shown to racially profile people.
Though we share no borders with a foreign country, the Mississippi Legislature burned a great deal of time during the 2012 Session debating this issue and matters related to it, against the very vocal opinions of business leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, and minority leaders.
We should now place these well-settled matters to rest and focus on creating jobs and real opportunities for all Mississippians.
In the coming days, as Mississippi takes steps to comply with the healthcare law, we call upon the architects of the Mississippi Health Insurance Exchange to recognize the importance of the thousands of minority Independent Insurance Agents across this state whom citizens will look upon to guide them through this process, opening significant economic opportunities for these minority and small business owners.
Sincerely
Senator Kenneth Wayne Jones
