The Story Behind the Story of the Affordable Care Act

For the politically minded, today's surprising U.S. Supreme Court ruling feels a bit like Super Bowl Sunday. The ruling shocked most observers, for few predicted that the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate would stick. Even fewer expected that Chief Justice John Roberts, nominated by former President George W. Bush, would side with the liberal majority in upholding the law.

Most coverage today will focus on the legal analysis of the SCOTUS ruling and the political - read electoral - implications of the 5-4 decision. For a different perspective on this historic fight, I recommend another source, a book called Fighting for Our Health. The book was written by Richard Kirsch, the long-time health care advocate who ran the Health Care for America Now (HCAN) campaign. HCAN's effective mobilization of health care reformers at the national, state, and local levels, including civil rights, faith-based, labor, and small business leaders, played a critical role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act.

Kirsch dissects the campaign and how it happened - the story behind the story - particularly focusing on the work of grassroots advocates to ensure the Act's passage. It's a good read on an historic day.