Politics & Government

Local Reactions: Supreme Court Upholds 'Obamacare'

The statements and comments began rolling in once the Supreme Court issued its historic ruling.

Once news broke this morning that the , Inver Grove Heights residents and local and state politicians started issuing statements and leaving comments. Here are some of them:

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Sen. James P. Metzen (DFL-District 39)

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"I'm very happy with (the ruling). I think this is a step in the right direction. I think it's the right thing to do. We need reform and this is a perfect bill. In the long run it'll save a lot of lives and costs will eventually come down." 

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Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-District 52B) *issued prior to the ruling

"I believe a majority of the court's members would prefer to find the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. HOWEVER, the challenge for the high court is that if they find the federal government overstepped on health care, then they would eventually have to find several other, similar federal laws also go too far. The Supreme Court really likes some of those other laws, placing them in a rather awkward position. 

My prediction: the Supreme Court will either uphold the ACA, or they will call the legal equivalent of a "timeout," ruling that the case isn't ripe for a decision yet, because key pieces of the new law haven't gone into effect.

A further prediction: No matter what happens, there will be outrage."

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Paul Tuschy, Inver Grove Heights resident, GOP candidate for Minnesota House of Representatives (District 52B)

"The healthcare law that was upheld yesterday strips away our liberty while imposing a huge tax burden, which will stifle innovation, savings and production, discourage investment and crush the poor and middle class.

The last thing we need in this economy is a federal government which confiscates more money from hard-working families. 

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court has, by its decision, declared war on the ability of citizens to make their own health care decisions, challenged the sovereignty of states and placed at risk the nation's founding principles outlined in the Constitution. 

What other taxes and laws will the Supreme Court soon rule constitutional? An obesity tax? A tax for not eating a government-approved diet? 

Like most Americans, I value freedom and liberty and am appalled that our current representatives at every level of government have taken it upon themselves to 'protect' us from decisions we should be making for ourselves."

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Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, DFL

"I am very pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to fully uphold the Affordable Care Act. Today’s ruling will be met with relief by the Minnesotans whose lives have already been improved by this law. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, affirmed by the Supreme Court today: 

  • Minnesotans can no longer be denied coverage for preexisting conditions.
  • Seniors pay less for prescription drugs
  • Small businesses will have affordable insurance options for employees
  • Young people can continue to be covered by their parents' health insurance until age 26.

This ruling is also an affirmation of the reform efforts currently underway in Minnesota to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care. We have long been a national leader in healthcare reform—a reputation that will be enhanced as we work with private and public sector leaders to implement the Affordable Care Act in Minnesota."

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Mike Obermueller, Eagan resident, DFL candidate for 2nd U.S. Congressional District

"While I've been in support of the parts of the law such as eliminating coverage denials for preexisting conditions, making it illegal to charge women more for health care, allowing children up to age 26 to stay on their parents' health insurance and expanding coverage for seniors, I hope today will allow Washington to put an end to the political games and focus on fixing the things that don’t work.

We have to do more to lower costs of health insurance, reduce the overall cost to taxpayers, and reduce unfair regulation for Minnesota small businesses. If I’m elected, you can count on me to continue fighting for better access to affordable and reliable health care in this country.”

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Shar Knutson, President AFL-CIO of Minnesota

"Today is a great day for working Americans. The Supreme Court’s decision clears the way for millions of people to have the access to the affordable, high quality health care that had previously been denied.

Seniors will continue to be spared from having to choose between paying for prescription drugs and putting food on the table. Parents can rest easier knowing their children are covered. Bankruptcies due to health care costs will soon become a thing of the past. Finally, nobody will have to avoid getting the health care they need due to costs.

Minnesota’s union members worked hard to make this law a reality, and we are pleased the court affirmed its constitutionality.

Now that this issue has been settled, we are hopeful our elected leaders will come together to craft policies that get middle class Americans back to work."

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will continue the work we began more than two years ago of implementing the law in a manner that strives to serve the best interests of our members and all Minnesotans. 

"As the state’s leading health plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield considers reform to be something that also happens outside of legislation. We believe the kind of systematic change needed to tackle rising health care costs and drive improvements in overall health can and is being advanced though innovative collaborations with providers, consumers, employers and other stakeholders – all of whom share our goal of creating better health solutions for the greatest number of people, and at the greatest value.”

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Chuck Mooty, interim CEO, Fairview Health Services

"Overall, we are pleased that the Supreme Court has released their decision because now we know the context in which we move forward.  Fairview remains committed to transforming care and payment systems to improve care, improve patient experience and reduce the total cost of care. For us, it is all about creating greater value for those we serve.

We’ve had great success working with local payers in our market to support changes in care delivery and payment, and we intend to continue those efforts. As one of the 32 Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), our ongoing work also will include delivering greater value to Medicare beneficiaries. These are just a few examples of how we are and will remain engaged in health reform.

On behalf of all those we serve, we will continue to seek additional ways to work with patients, families, employers and payers—both commercial health plans and government payers—to change the way health care is delivered and paid for here and across the country." 

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In addition to reactions from local influencers, the IGH Facebook page received some comments from our user community. We will continue to update this section as more reactions come in: 

Diane Baum: Thinking the Supreme court has landed the USA in a tinderbox of either/or. Either you vote Obama and it stays or you vote Romney and it goes. The line has been drawn and nothing really has been accomplished. and where will the money come from to launch it?

Nicholas Goers: Does anyone think we're still living in a FREE country?

Vikki Leigh Hancock: Socialism

Diane Baum: @Nick no...everything is being forced down our throats, like it or not. It is no longer by, for and of THE PEOPLE ... it is whatever those in charge say. It is becoming what England was before the Revolutionary War ... remember the Boston Tea Party? I say we hold a Band-Aid party of our own.


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