Officials & Candidates React to Supreme Court Ruling

"I am very pleased that the Supreme Court has upheld the landmark Affordable Care Act. I was proud to bring this bill to the floor of the House of Representatives as Chairwoman of the Rules Committee in 2009, and I continue to be proud of the ways in which the law has improved health care access for millions of Americans. We worked long and hard to protect Medicare's guarantee of quality health care for our seniors and to make health care more affordable for American families. The ACA also ensures that being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition and a justification for higher premiums. This groundbreaking legislation was never about politics – it was about saving lives and safeguarding the health and wellbeing of American families. I know that much work remains to be done but I am gratified to know that we are a step closer to ensuring that no American will live in fear of losing their home and everything they own because they or a member of their family is stricken by illness.”

“The Supreme Court’s decision today made clear that the Obamacare Individual Mandate is a colossal new tax to be levied on the American people, one which will cost taxpayers trillions of dollars for years to come. Regardless of the law’s constitutionality, our families and seniors deserve better. Furthermore, I remain deeply concerned about the exploding debt and runaway spending that the current failed system in Washington will hand down to future generations of Americans. That’s why I strongly believe that Congress must remain committed to repealing Obamacare and the massive tax hike it places on everyday taxpayers and their families. As then Chair of the Rules Committee, Louise Slaughter played a key role in forcing this massive tax hike through Congress, quashing any attempts to debate the bill on its many failings. Although the passage of Obamacare represented Washington dysfunction at its worst, I believe that we now have an opportunity show America at its best. With the continued support of local voters, I look forward to working collaboratively in Congress to replace Obamacare with real reform that best serves American families, while protecting taxpayers.”

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling provides much needed clarity in an important national debate on the appropriate role of the federal government in the delivery of healthcare. While I was not in Congress to vote on the Affordable Care Act, I have always believed, and continue to believe, that the law is far from perfect, and I remain concerned about the high cost of implementing the law. That is why I have worked to roll back many of its most troubling provisions, including the financially unsustainable CLASS Act, the Medical Device tax, and the Independent Payment Advisory Board, which could result in the rationing of Medicare. I am hopeful that today’s ruling will help to focus our country on the need for more effective policies that drive down the cost of care and ensure that all Americans-especially children, seniors and veterans-have access to quality and affordable health care. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue to improve the law and find appropriate solutions to the rising cost of health care in this country.”

“Today, the Supreme Court confirmed what small businesses and voters have been saying for a long time – plain and simple, this is a massive tax imposed by Barack Obama Democrats like Kathy Hochul on the American people. Because of the Obama-Hochul Tax, our economy is broken, we are losing jobs, and our children are being saddled with debt they can’t afford. This is a massive tax on the residents of the 27th District. And when I go to Congress, my first order of business will be to lead the fight to repeal ObamaCare and replace it with common sense solutions that protect seniors and don’t crush small businesses and cost us jobs. ObamaCare will cost us more than half a trillion in new taxes – more than 1,200 for every hard-working taxpayer in our district. We can’t afford these new taxes to pay for a plan which is crushing our economy, costing us jobs and saddling our children with over $2 trillion in unaffordable debt.” And, this doesn’t include the $500 billion in Medicare funding ObamaCare slashed for our seniors, or the complete decimation of Medicare Advantage, which tens of thousands of seniors in our district rely on. Kathy Hochul broke her promise to us. And unlike Kathy Hochul, I’ll actually keep my word and fight for seniors in Congress. That starts with repealing ObamaCare, protecting Medicare Advantage, and eliminating these crushing taxes which are weakening our economy and costing us jobs.”

“I respect the Supreme Court’s decision to essentially uphold Obamacare, but I am very troubled by the ramifications. This decision greatly expands the government’s ability to tax and interfere in people’s lives. This is bad news for patients, taxpayers and the economy. Health care premiums continue to rise at a rate much higher than inflation and the mandates of the act are having a chilling impact on job creation. Businesses legitimately fear anticipated cost increases when the law is fully implemented next year. We need to fully repeal the Affordable Care Act. The reality is that as the law stands, Obamacare will cost trillions and will be paid for by billions in tax increases and a $500 billion reduction in funding for Medicare. I will continue to work to repeal this law. What we need to do is carry forward with patient-centered reforms such as requiring coverage for pre-existing conditions, allowing children up to age 26 to be carried on a parent’s policy, and covering preventive health care services like mammograms for women. The nation will have to make a decision at the polls this November regarding what direction to go. People will need to choose between repealing Obamacare or continuing to a future of massive tax increases on individuals and businesses and a significantly larger, more invasive government. I believe in individual choice and empowering patients rather than health care by unaccountable bureaucrats or administrators.”

“Today, the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the majority of President Obama’s healthcare law. Throughout this entire process my concern has always been to ensure that all Americans have access to quality and affordable healthcare and that the sanctity of the doctor/patient relationship is upheld. I have spent most of my professional life in healthcare, first as a nurse and later as a healthcare attorney. I understand how important of an issue this is for all Americans. I am currently reviewing the Supreme Court decision in its entirety to determine its impact on the people, hospitals, and businesses in my district.”

“Thanks to the leadership of President Obama and his administration, particularly Secretary Sebelius, the Affordable Care Act will provide access to health care to millions of Americans nationwide and more than one million New Yorkers, and I am pleased the Supreme Court upheld this law. We will continue to move forward with implementing the health exchange that will lower coverage costs for New York's businesses and help ensure that uninsured New Yorkers have access to health care. We look forward to continuing to work together with the Obama administration to ensure accessible, quality care for all New Yorkers."

"The Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act is a victory for New Yorkers and all Americans. The law has significant fiscal implications for our state, providing more than $1 billion annually in new Medicaid assistance and delivering affordable health coverage for New Yorkers. While we have not yet solved the challenge of balancing health care access and cost, today's decision moves us one step closer to reforming our nation's costly health care system."