Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act: What does it mean for neurology?

In March 2010, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the Act or ACA), which is felt to be the most comprehensive reform to health care in the United States since the enactment of Medicare/Medicaid in 1965. Nothing this big happens overnight and without controversy. Numerous concerns were raised from all demographics and from both sides of the political aisle. Some of the concerns were legal questions regarding constitutionality and so legal processes began to address this issue. In June 2012, the Supreme Court decided in a 5-4 vote that the Act is constitutional. This has allowed the legislation to stand and over the next few years the more transforming parts will start to be implemented. It is important to understand the issues surrounding the Supreme Court decision and the impact this may have on health care and specifically the practice of neurology.