Supreme Court ACA ruling: implications for food politics

The Supreme Court ruling that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is indeed constitutional means that Americans will now have greater access to health care as well as to services to help prevent disease.

The American Public Health Association summarizes the benefits: 

• 31 million Americans are projected to gain health coverage by 2019
• 54 million U.S. families have additional benefits, including greater access to preventive health care services
• 2.5 million young adults up to age 26 are able to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans;
• nearly 18 million children with pre-existing conditions are protected from insurance coverage denials;
• seniors can access preventive services

Let’s add menu labeling to the list.  The ACA takes menu labeling national.  The FDA proposed the rules for this process more than a year ago, with no further action.

The Supreme Court says go for it. 

FDA: No more excuses.  Get busy!