(June 28, 2012 - Phoenix, AZ) The Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AzAAP) affirms the ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court today upholding the Affordable Care Act. The Chapter of more than 900 health care professionals from throughout the state believe the health care initiative will have positive benefits for children.

This ruling preserves key child health provisions, including the law's protections against pre-existing condition exclusions, Bright Futures preventive services being offered at no cost to families, and the payment parity provision, which increases Medicaid payment rates to Medicare levels for 2013 and 2014.

The Chapter endorses as imperatives:   

1. Better access to health care for all children
2. Allowing children to remain on their parents' health insurance until age 26
3. Children's health conditions never considered as pre-existing by insurance companies
4. Providing "Bright Futures" as standard preventive and well-child health care for all children with no copay.

In Arizona, a quarter million children have no health insurance coverage. Considering poor children as a group, nearly one in four children is uninsured in Arizona.  The 5-4 ruling today will have an impact on getting more kids into the care they need.

The following Arizona Pediatricians and leadership of the board of the Arizona Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics are available for comment:

• Dr. Arturo Gonzalez M.D., FAAP, Board chair, Scottsdale Pediatrician, (480) 694-9525
• Dr. Dale Guthrie M.D., FAAP, Board chair-elect (Effective July), East Valley Pediatrician, (480) 892-3880
• Dr. Delphis Richardson M.D., FAAP, Board vice president, Tempe Pediatrician,
  (480) 695-6251
• Dr. Mary Ellen Rimsza M.D., FAAP, Board member and chairman of Advocacy Committee, Tucson Pediatrician, (520) 743-3650 or (602) 738-3623
• Dr. Robert Cannell M.D., FAAP, Board member, Yuma Pediatrician, (928) 344-4800 or (928) 210-2480

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