REACTION: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds President Obama's Health Care Law

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the controversial health care law, which was championed by President Barack Obama and was the signature legislation of his first year in office.

The historic 5-4 ruling and affirmation of the most debated part of the bill - the individual mandate - prompted a flurry of responses locally and nationwide.

Predictably, they came from both sides of the aisle.

Gov. Christine Gregoire posted the following on her Facebook page:

An important day in Washington state for the 50,000 young adults who have gained coverage through their parents' plan, our 60,000 seniors who get help with prescription drugs, and millions no longer subject to unfair insurance practices. Look forward to the day when 800,000 people in our state can use the Health Benefit Exchange to get insurance they need but must currently go without.

Republican gubernatorial issued the following statement:

“Our system of government provides a series of checks and balances, allowing new laws—especially ones that raise major constitutional questions—to be tested in court,” said Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna. “While we’re disappointed that this close decision did not find in the states’ favor with regard to the individual mandate, the country benefits from a thoughtful debate about the reach of federal power into the legal rights of the states and the personal financial decisions of all Americans.”

A majority of the Court also agreed with states’ argument that the federal government may not take away existing Medicaid funds from states that choose not to participate in the expansion of the Medicaid program.

"Nothing in our opinion precludes Congress from offering funds under the ACA to expand the availability of health care, and requiring that states accepting such funds comply with the conditions on their use,” the Court wrote. “What Congress is not free to do is to penalize States that choose not to participate in that new program by taking away their existing Medicaid funding."

“Now the federal government must treat the states as equal partners, as both seek to provide health coverage for the poor,” said McKenna.

Jay Inslee, his main Democratic challenger, released this:

"Today, in a majority ruling by Justices appointed by Presidents of both parties, the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act.
What this means for Washingtonians is that insurance companies can no longer deny people coverage based on pre-existing conditions; there can be no caps on lifetime coverage; young men and women just starting out on their career paths can stay on their parents' insurance until the age of 26; and prescription drugs will become more affordable with the closing of the so-called Medicare “donut hole.”

The Supreme Court upheld this law despite enormous political pressure by Republican Attorneys General from around the country who tried to make this a partisan, political issue.

It is my hope that Republicans do not see today’s ruling as an opportunity for further partisan bickering. Instead, we need both parties to finally come together and make this law work for the American people.

Now, with this issue settled by the Supreme Court, let’s all focus on the most pressing issue we face – getting our economy moving again by creating good-paying jobs for the middle-class."

 

Local lawmakers also shared their thoughts. Republican Senator Randi Becker, who represents part of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, said this:

“I consistently heard concerns from people in my district and across the state that the federal government was overreaching in requiring everyone to purchase insurance,” said Becker, R-2nd District. “I’m frankly a little surprised by the decision to mostly uphold the law, but for me it doesn’t change anything; my focus will remain on improving our health-care system for the people of Washington.”
“No one really knew what to expect from this ruling, so from the day the federal reform law was adopted my approach was to address the biggest issues facing us in health care:  increasing access to quality care and driving down the cost of insurance,” said Becker. “We still need to accomplish those goals, and I’ve already begun drafting legislation for next year to move our state forward in a positive direction.”

Congressional also released the following:

Today’s historic Supreme Court ruling upholds the biggest step forward in health insurance reform in decades. No American will ever again be denied healthcare coverage because of a pre-existing condition. The ruling also ensures Americans under 26 can get access to healthcare through their parents, helps small businesses afford healthcare for their employees, and makes sure that preventative healthcare is covered by health insurance plans for millions more Americans, saving lives and saving money.
These patient protections will make the American middle class stronger. The further efforts planned in the United States House of Representatives to repeal these provisions are nothing but distracting, partisan games at a time when Congress should be focused on helping create jobs. This misguided set of priorities is more evidence that we must elect new leaders to the U.S. House.

It is disappointing that our state’s Attorney General joined the Tea Party in this expensive and failed lawsuit and worked to repeal these needed reforms.

America’s healthcare crisis is still very real. Going forward, the goal of Congress must be to work in a bipartisan fashion to lower out of control healthcare costs that continue to harm American pocketbooks. No American should go bankrupt because they get sick.

Congressional candidate just put out his statement:

Dick Muri was quoted the afternoon of the ruling as saying that “along with the majority of Americans, it is my  belief that the Affordable Care Act forces American families into government run healthcareprograms and puts the federal government in between patients and their healthcare providers.”
 
While Muri has a profound respect for the nation’s judicial system, he does not support its decision.  His goal as a  U.S. Representative will be to repeal Obamacare.  The Courts have made their proclamation, and now it is the duty of the federal government to reverse its effects.

Dick Muri’s campaign for the U.S. House is centered on four principles: restoring federalism, balancing the budget, rebuilding our economy, and protecting our veterans and national defense.  Once elected, Muri will be an integral player in Washington DC as he takes his message of principled conservatism to our nation’s capital.

So we ask you, Lakewood Patch users, do you agree with the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling? Tell us in the comments below or taking our poll.