Local politicians react to Supreme Court’s decision to uphold healthcare law

Local politicians at the county, state and national level were quick to react to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling Thursday to uphold President Obama’s healthcare law.

The law includes a mandate that most Americans carry health insurance by 2014 or pay a tax.

Here’s a sample of comments issued in media releases by King County, state and federal representatives who serve Kent residents:

Gov. Chris Gregoire:

“I applaud today’s Supreme Court decision. Since the Affordable Care Act was signed by the President, we have worked tirelessly to implement it in our state, with my firm belief that it was constitutional and would ultimately withstand legal challenge. I’m extremely pleased that the majority of the Court agreed on the merits of the law highlighted in the briefs that I and others submitted on its behalf.

“The real winners today, however, are the millions of Americans and Washingtonians who have and will now continue to benefit from this Act. Among them are more than 50,000 young adults in our state who have gained insurance coverage through their parents’ plan, our more than 60,000 seniors who’ve annually received assistance to purchase needed prescription drugs, and the millions here that are no longer subject to unfair practices by insurance companies. And with this cloud of legal uncertainty removed, I look forward to the day not long from now when more than 800,000 people in our state will be able to use our Health Benefit Exchange to get the health insurance that they need but currently must go without.”

King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson:

“Access to quality and affordable health care is now going to be a basic human right in this country. I am pleased that the Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act ensuring that millions of Americans without insurance will no longer be denied access. This decision affects all by impacting families, our health care system and our economy.”

King County Executive Dow Constantine:

“I celebrate the Supreme Court’s ruling to uphold the Affordable Care Act. A stable, healthier future has been made possible by this ruling. This is affirmation of our nation-wide bold move toward achieving quality affordable healthcare, and we are moving in the right direction. And for the nearly quarter of a million people in King County who do not have health insurance this is truly a welcome life-and-death decision.”

Congressman Adam Smith, D-Tacoma:

“I’m pleased the Supreme Court has upheld the Patient Care and Affordable Health Care Act.  This law is the best available step forward for our health care system that is in dire need of reform.

“The Affordable Care Act will help nearly 30 million uninsured Americans obtain health insurance and will cut our deficit by more than $1 trillion in the long-term with mechanisms in place to curb fraudulent and wasteful medical spending.  It gives Americans the promise of better care by keeping health care and insurance providers accountable for the well being of their patients. The law has also established free preventative care and has empowered states to create new and more efficient methods to deliver the highest quality options for health care.”

Congressman Dave Reichert, R-Auburn:

“While I respect today’s Supreme Court ruling, it is only one more point in the ongoing debate. I remain undeterred in improving health care for all Americans. The government takeover of health care raised taxes and health care costs, restricted access for patients and hurt businesses. Those problems remain and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to continue repealing harmful and expensive provisions of the law and finding common sense, reasonable solutions for Americans to have access to affordable and quality health care.”

State Attorney General Rob McKenna:

“Our system of government provides a series of checks and balances, allowing new laws — especially ones that raise major constitutional questions—to be tested in court. While we’re disappointed that this close decision did not find in the states’ favor with regard to the individual mandate, the country benefits from a thoughtful debate about the reach of federal power into the legal rights of the states and the personal financial decisions of all Americans.”

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington:

“This is a victory for the health care security and stability of Washington families. Today’s ruling means that families and small business owners will continue to benefit from better access, more choices, and a health care system that no longer works only for those who can afford it. It means that health care decisions will be in the hands of patients and their doctors, and that insurance companies will be forced to compete for the business of Washington state families.

“It is also welcome news for all those across our state who are already benefitting from this law.  It means that over 62,000 young adults in Washington will be allowed to keep their health coverage, that tens of thousands of Washington seniors will continue to receive checks for Medicare support, that hundreds of thousands of patients will continue to access free preventative services like mammograms and colonoscopies, and that millions of policy holders will continue to see the value of their premium dollar improve.”