Today's ruling by the United States Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a significant victory for all Americans, including more than two million uninsured New Yorkers who will benefit from this historic law.

New York has long been a leader in healthcare reform, including taking the lead to implement this law. Because of the ACA, 160,000 young adults in New York have gained insurance through their parents' plans, more than 3,400 New Yorkers with pre-existing conditions are now covered through the New York Bridge Plan, and more than a quarter million seniors received a prescription drug rebate.

The message sent today is loud and clear -- the individual mandate is constitutional and no one should have to live without affordable and quality health insurance. I hope that with this ruling, Republicans will finally stop playing politics with our health and well-being and work with Democrats to erase the healthcare disparity we are faced with, particularly for our working families, seniors and children.