US Supreme Court Decides In Favor Of ‘Obamacare’
Oskaloosa News
Washington, D.C. – The US Supreme Court returned a 5-4 decision in favor of, what has been coined, ‘Obamacare’. The mandate has been clarified as a tax by the court, allowing the law to continue.
Many had speculated that the court would rule, having the mandate removed, therefore taking the centerpiece of the legislation out of the law, and making it more difficult to implement.
Once the ruling came down, the parties did as was expected and trumpeted their respective rhetoric. The shock fell mostly upon Republicans who had stopped short of calling the probable outcome in the Supreme Court a slam dunk in their favor.
Oskaloosa’s current US Representative, Democrat Leonard Boswell, joined the fray, releasing his own thoughts on the Supreme Court decision. “The highest court in the land spoke today and found the Affordable Care Act constitutional. Millions of Americans, including children, seniors, and health care providers, have won today. No one will ever be denied coverage for having a pre-existing condition.”
Boswell tossed a warning to his Republican counterparts by saying, “Now that this law has been reaffirmed, it is time for opponents to stop spreading misinformation in their attempts to confuse the American people on this law.”
Because of redistricting, Boswell will not be representing Mahaska County, and residents will be choosing between what is the current US Representative, Democrat Dave Loebsack and his challenger, Republican John Archer.
Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued their decision on the Affordable Care Act. “Today’s decision will bring stability and certainty to Iowans as they make critical health care choices for themselves and their families. It maintains protections for those who have pre-existing conditions, ensures no Iowan will be denied coverage, and that young Iowans can stay on their parents’ health care plans until they are 26. Additionally, this ruling affirms that preventative care will be provided without a co-payment, and that those who lose their jobs will not lose their coverage. It also prevents women from being charged higher premiums simply because they are female, and prohibits pregnancy from being treated as a pre-existing condition. Further, the Medicare prescription drug donut hole will be completely closed by 2020, through reforms that are already saving our seniors $650 each this year.”
I asked Congressman Loebsack, who was gracious enough to take some time out of his schedule for a telephone interview, the following questions. We got down to business with me asking what he meant by his statement that “the bill is not perfect”? Loebsack stated, “As we go forward, if we find that there are difficulties, as we have in the past.” Loebsack referenced the 10-99 reporting requirement. “I worked in a bi-partisan way to make sure we repealed that. I was on the repeal of that very early on. We’re gonna just have to wait and see as we move forward and begin to implement this thing what kind of problems may crop up.”
I brought up a comment by an Oskaloosa News reader to our Facebook page. “A really sad day for America. There is no end to what the gov’t will require its citizens to do. Freedom is no longer a word we can use in the USA.”
I posed this question to the Congressman, asking him how he would alleviate the fears of citizens that believe their freedoms are being eroded by, what is perceived as, big government.
“All I can say is I simply don’t believe that’s the case and I’m more than willing to talk with folks who have different views from mine, whether they’re here in Washington D.C., even more important, my constituents. I’m more than willing to talk to folks about that, hear them out, hear what their concerns are. Do what I can to alleviate* those concerns.” Loebsack said he appreciates all the viewpoints from his constituents.
Loebsack referenced his previous statements about what he sees are the benefits to the health care act when I asked him what he thought about being part of the historic legislation. “It’s very good, and I look forward to continuing to implement the bill. Making sure that Iowans continue to get the benefit that they’ve received and making sure we bring stability to Iowans especially during these very, very difficult economic times. And, doing all we can to ensure that this bill is implemented in a way that we reduce health care costs in the longer term.”
We reached out to Republican John Archers camp, but were unable to make a connection. But, in a statement released to his website earlier in the day, he’s quoted as saying. “The Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold the individual mandate clears the path for an unprecedented expansion of government, further eroding American’s freedoms and individual choice,”– John Archer, republican nominee in Iowa’s 2nd District.
“This was always larger than the individual mandate. It is a dangerous precedent to allow the government to dictate what the American people can do,” Archer also said on his website.
Former Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum, who had a large connection to Oskaloosa and some of its residents in the early stages of his candidacy, released his thoughts about President Obama after the courts ruling. “President Obama believes he is above the law, entitled to abusing his power to get what he wants, and willing to violate the constitution and the oath he was sworn to uphold. He has proven to be a very dangerous person to have this kind of power, and if he is not stopped this November, I am fearful that the make-up of this country, as established by our founders, will never be the same.”
Two of Iowa’s top Republicans gave their thoughts about the decision on Thursday in prepared statements released to the media.
Iowa’s Governor Terry Branstad commented shortly after the court’s decision, “Today, the Supreme Court handed down a disastrous decision to uphold President Obama’s destructive health care law, which means a future of higher costs, higher taxes, and increasing debt for Iowans. The current health care system is nothing but a federal takeover and continues to exceed its budgeted amount every day. But, as Governor Romney has said many times, no matter what may happen in Court, the American people must remain vigilant in their fight to repeal the law. Our goal is for Iowa to become the healthiest state in the country and to do so Iowans will need to take ownership of their own health to reduce health care costs and lead healthier lives.”
Republican US Senator Chuck Grassley released his statement over the decision as well. “I respect the Supreme Court, but strongly disagree with this decision.” Grassley said in his press release. “The court has upheld the law, saying that the President’s health care law is a tax on every American – regardless of income – unless that American takes an action the government demands.”
Grassley echoed the chorus coming from the Republican camp saying, that “will be a major issue in the presidential election.”
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* – We had originally quoted the Congressman as alienate which was incorrect
