With the Supreme Court upholding today by a vote of 5-4 the key mandate in the Affordable Healthcare Act forcing Americans to buy healthcare coverage, there will be a variety of statements and editorial opinions issued over the next several days, which we will bring you via HawaiiReporter.com and our partners at Watchdog.org
We also have an analysis of the tax increases enacted with the healthcare act courtesy of the Americans for Tax Reform.
Reactions vary from around the country.
Gov. Scott Walker, R-Wisconsin, is pledging to fight the U.S. Supreme Court, vowing that he will not implement the federal health care reform law, despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the law is constitutional, according to our news partners at Wisconsin Reporter.
Gov. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, said the law infringes on Americans’ civil liberties. He maintains “Stopping Obamacare is now in the hands of the American people. It begins with electing a new president this fall,” Brownback said in a terse, one-line statement issued after the decision was announced.
Meanwhile Gov. Neil Abercrombie, a supporter of the law, is expected to react favorably.
At 11:30 a.m. today, state officials appointed by Abercrombie, will give their perspective on the impact on Hawaii with newly appointed State Hawaii Health Care Transformation Coordinator Beth Giesting and Hawaii Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito will attend as will members of Hawaii’s medical and health insurance industries.
Hawaii Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, D-HI, a candidate for U.S. Senate, was the first congressional official to issue a statement today.
She called the ruling “good news for Hawaii’s families” and maintains “the Affordable Care Act has already had a positive impact on the lives of Hawaii’s families and seniors.”
U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, also a supporter of the law, said: “I applaud the Justices for their careful review of the law and thank them for ruling on behalf of the healthcare needs of millions of Americans. Because of the health care reform law, over 3 million young adults now have health insurance that would otherwise not be covered, 17 million children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage, and more than 5 million seniors will save $4 billion on their prescription drugs. We in the Congress understand this law is not perfect but it can and will be improved, over time, in the same fashion that changes and improvements have been incorporated over the past 46 years to the Medicare program. I am proud to have been a part of the historic process that brought comprehensive healthcare reform to every American and I look forward to working with my colleagues, Democrats and Republicans, as we continue to improve this important initiative.”