In a 5-4 decision issued today, the nation’s highest court declared the individual health insurance mandate constitutional, upholding the central provision of President Barack Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.
Michigan lawmakers are issuing their statements affirming or decrying the Supreme Court's decision.
Attorney General Bill Schuette, filed legal challenge to individual mandate provision on behalf of Michigan, along with 25 other states and the National Federation of Independent Business:
“I am deeply disappointed with this ruling by the United States Supreme Court. I am extremely concerned as well, about the impact of this decision on the personal liberties and basic Constitutional rights of Americans. Today’s decision raises the stakes – does the reach of federal government have any limits at all? If the federal government can force you to purchase a product or pay a hefty fine, there is virtually no limit to what it can compel you to do."
Gov. Rick Snyder, recommended creating statewide health care exchange :
“While I may not agree with everything in the law, now that the Supreme Court has essentially upheld the Act, we must act quickly to avoid an undue burden on Michigan residents and job providers. Working with our legislative leaders to establish the MiHealth Marketplace will allow Michiganders to make decisions regarding what will be covered as opposed to Washington, D.C. making those decisions for us. It will also allow us to draw down federal dollars to assist with the costs of complying with the law."
U.S. Rep Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.), voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a huge victory for the millions of Americans that will be able to see a doctor and receive necessary preventative treatments because of the Affordable Care Act. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court reaffirmed what I have been saying for years, everybody in this country has the right to quality affordable health care. I was proud to work with President Obama to pass this important health care reform law and I will continue working with him to ensure that it is fully implemented.”
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act:
“Today the Supreme Court upheld important protections for Michigan families, including lower prescription drug prices for seniors, access to maternity care and mammograms for women, tools for Michigan small businesses to lower their health care costs, and coverage for children with preexisting conditions. Now we must continue to keep patients in charge of their own health decisions by stopping those in Congress seeking to end Medicare as we know it."
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), voted in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act:
"I have always believed in the law’s ability to make a real and positive difference in peoples’ lives, and I’m gratified that the court’s decision protects the interests of American families who have so much to gain from health insurance reform. We were right to rein in the power that insurance companies held over our health care. I believe Americans will broadly support today’s decision, and that they will reject Republican attempts, already announced, to deprive Americans of the protections of the Affordable Care Act by repealing it."
Rep. Hansen Clarke, (D-Detroit):
"The core principle of President Obama’s health care reform, which the Supreme Court upheld today, is simple: the more people with health insurance, the lower the cost of care. Today’s ruling is a win for fiscal responsibility and a win for people seeking care. I believe health care is a human right, not a privilege reserved only for those who can afford it. It’s morally reprehensible that people in the richest nation on earth still lose their lives or go bankrupt seeking care for treatable diseases. President Obama’s signature health care reform takes our nation one step closer to enshrining and protecting Americans’ right to health.”