Intro: U.S. Supreme Court decision marked with celebrations: Supporters hail end of long legal battle
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After the Supreme Court’s landmark decision affirming the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in June, public health is celebrating and looking forward. The decision was a victory for public health, allowing for dedicated funding for prevention programs and upholding a mechanism for the uninsured to purchase affordable health insurance.

![Figure1](http://www.thenationshealth.org/http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/nathealth/42/6/1.1/F1.medium.gif)

[Figure1](http://www.thenationshealth.org/content/42/6/1.1/F1)

Claire McAndrew, left, and Donny Kirsch celebrate outside the Supreme Court after the court’s June 28 ruling was announced.

Photo by Evan Vucci, courtesy AP Images

But the decision also means questions — particularly about how the U.S. will cover its poorest residents — that public health will continue to grapple with in coming years.

*Full coverage of the Supreme Court decision starts on [Page 17](http://thenationshealth.aphapublications.org/content/42/6/17.1.full).*

*   Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association