PR 2012 - R1

June 28, 2012

Supreme Court of the United States Ruling on the Affordable Care Act

St. Mary's Healthcare Statement

(Amsterdam, NY) - The Supreme Court of the United States issued its ruling today to uphold the Affordable Care Act, providing coverage to 32 million uninsured people by 2019.

Victor Giulianelli, President and CEO of St. Mary's Healthcare, Amsterdam comments that, "The Supreme Court's decision is another important step toward Healthcare That Leaves No One Behind, which includes 100 percent access and coverage for all Americans, including an estimated 15,000 in our region. Our job is not changed, our commitment to improving quality, enhancing patient safety and the patient experience, while reducing the cost of healthcare is unwavering."

St. Mary's Healthcare, along with all of Ascension Health, will continue to make healthcare more accessible and affordable for all and continue our advocacy efforts on behalf of those who are most vulnerable. We look forward to demonstrating this commitment through our ongoing support of healthcare reform as we work to ensure the implementation of benefits for those most in need.

About Ascension Health

Ascension Health (http://www.ascensionhealth.org/) is transforming healthcare by providing the highest quality care to all, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. Ascension Health, which provided $1.2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and community benefit programs last year, is the nation's largest Catholic and nonprofit health system. Our Mission-focused Health Ministries employ more than 113,000 associates serving in more than 1,200 locations in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

About St. Mary's Healthcare, Amsterdam

St. Mary's Healthcare features the largest acute care hospital in the region, along with 10 primary and specialty care centers in Fulton and Montgomery counties more than 30 behavioral health services in Fulton, Montgomery and Hamilton counties, and a 160-bed nursing home. The organization carries great national rankings for excellence in medicine and has a continuing commitment to provide an exceptional patient experience. For more information about St. Mary's Healthcare, call (518) 842-1900 or visit online at http://www.smha.org/. To stay connected to St. Mary's; follow us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/smha.org.

Rick Hyde, Public Relations Coordinator

St. Mary's Healthcare

427 Guy Park Ave.

Amsterdam, NY 12010

518-770-7505

Richard.Hyde@smha.org