R.I. Health Benefits Exchange Director On The Supreme Court's ACA Ruling

07:06

June 29, 2012

In this March 21, 2006, file photo, Christine Ferguson, left, talks to reporters as then-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney watches at the Statehouse in Boston. (AP)

Since Thursday's Supreme Court ruling upheld the Affordable Care Act, it has been pointed out more than a few times that there was not much at stake for Massachusetts, which has its own universal health care law. But most state's dont, including Rhode Island.

Christine Ferguson, recently appointed to head Rhode Island's new Health Benefits Exchange, was vindicated by the ruling in a big way: She had a lot to do with Massachusetts' health care law — and by extension — the federal law that followed. She served as the Bay State's commissioner of health and pushed hard to convince then-Gov. Mitt Romney that the individual mandate was an essential part of developing the country's first universal health care plan.

Guests:

Chrstine Ferguson, director of the Rhode Island Health Benefits exchange; professor in the department of health policy, George Washington University

More:

This segment aired on June 29, 2012.

Health Care