Image Courtesy of the Barbara Bates Center for the Study of the History of Nursing.

July 30^th marks the 50-year anniversary of the signing into law, by President Lyndon Johnson the Medicare and Medicaid legislation; legislation which profoundly opened up health care access to millions of Americans. Before we celebrate too loudly about this singular achievement which has improved the lives of our citizens both young and old, let’s remember that there are still many Americans left without adequate access to health care.

The following is a blog first posted on Philly.com The Public’s Health which identifies the serious issues raised by those states which have refused to expand Medicaid under the generous provisions of the Affordable Care Act.

By Janet Golden, Jonathan Purtle, and Michael Yudell

The Supreme Court issued a lot of important and sensible rulings last week: enshrining marriage equality as the law of the land, supporting the Fair Housing Law claims of disparate impact, and ruling that the Affordable Care Act subsidies are legal in every state. More work awaits those fighting for human rights for all, an end to housing discrimination, and health care for everyone.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/public_health/The-Affordable-Care-Act-and-States-Wrong.html