Civil Rights News: Health Care Reform Upheld; Women Suffering Under Arizona Immigration Law; Tentative Agreement on Transportation Bill

Compiled by Rachel Barr, a Summer 2012 Leadership Conference Education Fund Intern

Supreme Court Lets Health Law Largely Stand
Adam Liptak And John H. Cushman Jr.
The New York Times

In an historic decision, the United States Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The most controversial provision, the individual mandate which requires citizens to purchase health care or pay a fine, along with most of the rest of “Obamacare,” was ruled constitutional by a 5-4 vote by the court.  While a provision about expanding Medicaid was limited, the majority of the healthcare policies explained in the bill will be rolled out in the coming months and years. This decision is seen as the most significant ruling since Bush v. Gore which decided the 2000 election.

How Women Especially Suffer from Arizona’s Harsh Anti-Immigrant Law
Alyssa Figueroa
AlterNet

The “show me your papers” portion of the Arizona immigration law could have more impacts than just promoting racial profiling. For Alicia of Arizona, not only has she been pulled over and questioned about her immigration status, but police have delayed her from taking her clearly sick daughter to the emergency law. In a media briefing, Hispanic women shared their stories and their determination to see this final portion of SB 1070 struck down.

Congress Reaches Tentative Agreement on Transportation Bill
Richard Simon and Lisa Mascaro
The Los Angeles Times

On Wednesday night a bipartisan agreement was finally reached on the transportation bill. This legislation will fund transportation spending through 2014. Not only will this bill allow for transportation reforms and expand public transportation, it is also expected to include a deal that will prevent the doubling of interest rates on student loans. At this point, it is still unclear whether the agreement will hold as the bill also includes a controversial measure about flood insurance.

Congress Reaches Tentative Agreement On Transportation Bill