STAFF REPORT

Local reaction to the the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act:

U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, San Antonio Republican:

“While millions of Americans are disappointed by today’s decision, Congress will not be deterred in our commitment to repeal Obamacare. The individual mandate may have been found to be constitutional as a tax, but that doesn’t make it good policy for the American people. The President’s promises about Obamacare have proved hollow. Obamacare costs our economy trillions of dollars, imposes new and burdensome taxes on the American people, and drives up costs for employers. Under this law, millions of Americans will be forced to abandon their current health care plans and change doctors. Decisions about treatment for certain illnesses will be made by a panel in Washington, D.C. rather than by patients and their physicians.

“Today’s decision not only upholds bad policy, it sets a dangerous precedent about the power of the federal government. Never before in our nation’s history has the federal government required people to purchase a good or service simply because they live in the U.S. – until now. Our Founders created a system of government where the power belongs to the people. Part of living in a free society means having the freedom to choose not to do something. Unfortunately, this ruling gives the federal government too much power over the daily lives of Americans.

“While President Obama may have won in the Supreme Court today, he has lost in the court of public opinion. A recent Reuters poll found that 56% of respondents oppose Obamacare and 61% oppose the individual mandate. House Republicans will continue to do our part to repeal Obamacare and enact real reforms that reduce health care costs without restricting the rights of Americans. But if the American people want to overturn today’s ruling, they must show up at the polls in November and elect a new President and members of Congress who oppose Obamacare.”

Former San Marcos Mayor SUSAN NARVAIZ,
Republican nominee for U.S. Congress:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold Obamacare underscores a growing concern shared by Americans across our country — We the People are losing our freedom.

“The Federal Government continues to set policies that take away our right to make decisions that impact our daily lives and our pocketbook. We are being governed by many that are not listening and a system that does not reflect the intent of our founding principles based on a Free Market which creates a place where competitive products are offered and choices are made by the individual. Not mandated by the government.

“This November election will be the most important election of our time. While I am among millions of Americans that are disappointed by another policy that expands government, I will continue to campaign hard across CD 35 so I will be in a position to vote to repeal Obamacare as the Representative of the newly drawn Congressional District 35.”

U.S. Rep. LLOYD DOGGETT, Austin Democrat:

“This is a significant victory for every family and small business denied insurance or overcharged exor mistreated by an insurer. And it is a victory for seniors who gain better Medicare coverage. Now we must continue our struggle to overcome the naysayers and obstructionists to assure each family has access to a family doctor.”

State Rep. JASON ISSAC, Dripping Springs Republican:

“We received tragic news this morning that the Supreme Court has upheld Obama’s health care law. Although the mandate that this law places on the American people has been ruled constitutional, it doesn’t make it good policy. The Supreme Court said what the President would not, that Obamacare imposes a new tax.

“This decision must serve to motivate conservatives to elect leaders in November at all levels who will fight for limited government and immediately repeal this far-reaching mandate.”

Central Texas Medical Center CEO SAM HUENERGARDT:

“Central Texas Medical Center is pleased that the court has upheld the Affordable Care Act and especially the individual mandate. We recognize that the health reform bill is not perfect, but it should help lower the number of uninsured and increase access to care.

“Without the mandate provision, we believe that the other provisions such as elimination of the pre-existing condition provision would be financially difficult to implement. We also believe that the uninsured problem would have continued to grow, putting greater pressure on hospitals to continue to subsidize care.”

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story attributed part of a statement made by former Mayor Susan Narvaiz, who opposes the healthcare law, to U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, who supports it.