Confirmation of Judge Jackson to the Supreme Court an Important and Overdue Step

(BOSTON, MA) – Today, the U.S. Senate approved Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s appointment to the Supreme Court following the retirement of Justice Stephen Breyer. As made clear by recent high-profile cases determining whether the Affordable Care Act would stand – and whether millions of people would keep or lose health coverage as a result – the Supreme Court decides cases every term that profoundly impact people’s health and lives. Justice Jackson is imminently qualified, holding more judicial experience than several sitting justices and is the only justice with experience as a public defender. Community Catalyst applauds her confirmation to the court. 

Statement of Community Catalyst Executive Director Emily Stewart in response to the historic appointment of JudgeKetanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court:  

“We are thrilled that the Senate voted to appoint the overwhelmingly qualified Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court. Justice Jackson is one of the brightest legal minds in the country and the Court will no doubt benefit from her presence and wisdom. Justice Jackson’s long legal record on civil rights will be particularly important as the Court considers race equity and health justice issues that have a profound impact on people’s ability to be healthy and thrive. It is also a major, and long overdue, step forward for our country to have the first Black woman on the Supreme Court – as lived experience plays an important role in guiding the Supreme Court as it makes decisions that impact the entire nation but in different ways.”    

###  

About Community Catalyst: Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit http://www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @CommCatHealth.