Several Arkansas political heavyweights have weighed in on the US Supreme Court's 5-4 decision on the Affordable Care Act.
U.S. Senator John Boozman said in a statement:
"I am disappointed in the outcome but respect the decision reached by the Supreme Court. However, just because the Court found the law to be constitutional, does not mean it is good policy. The President rammed this law through Congress claiming it was not a tax increase but the Court ruled it Constitutional as a tax. This is all the more reason to step up our efforts to repeal the law and its accompanying tax increase, and put in place free market solutions that lower costs and allows a patient centered approach to making health care decisions."
U.S. Senator Mark Pryor took a cautiously optimistic stance in his written statement.
"The
cost of health care is having a major impact on Arkansas families and
it is taking an enormous toll on our nation's budget and well-being.
This reason is why Presidents and lawmakers of both parties have
promised to fix this broken system for more than 40 years. It is also
the reason I have worked to make health care more affordable, accessible
and reliable for Arkansans. The law we passed, while not perfect, is
already making health care more affordable, accessible and reliable. It
is benefiting children, adults and seniors throughout our state.
"Before
health care reform, I heard from an individual in Greenwood who
couldn't afford life-saving medicine for his heart condition. He is now
one of the 36,000 Arkansas seniors who are saving a collective $30
million on prescription drugs through Medicare. I received a letter
from a mom in Fayetteville who can now insure her 5-year-old with Down
Syndrome, and an email from Brian in Rogers who was able to purchase
health care coverage despite having multiple sclerosis. In fact, in
Arkansas more than 35,000 young adults have gained health insurance, 574
individuals with pre-existing conditions were able to buy coverage
after being denied in the past and 819,000 individuals received
preventive services with no deductible or co-pay. The protections upheld
today by the Supreme Court will continue to benefit these families, and
thousands of other Arkansans who have struggled with the cost of health
care in our country.
"I am still analyzing today's ruling. While
it provides more certainty, it still allows us to work in a bipartisan
way to improve our health care system."
U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin issued the following statement:
"I agree with the dissent that ObamaCare is ‘invalid in its entirety.' In 2009, President Obama said the penalty for not obtaining health insurance is not a tax, but his lawyers argued just the opposite before the Supreme Court. Today's decision is a monumental error and paves the way for one of the largest tax increases in history. While the Court may have found a narrow majority to uphold ObamaCare, the vast majority of hardworking Americans remain opposed to this unprecedented and expensive law that fails to lower costs and increase access to quality health care. I will continue to fight to repeal President Obama's health care law so that we can replace it with patient-centered health care reform that maintains high quality service, empowers consumers, promotes innovation, lowers costs and is supported by hardworking American taxpayers."
Governor Mike Beebe took a more neutral stance.
"We
will study the impact the Court's ruling will have on health care in
Arkansas going forward. In the mean time, our separate initiative to
create cost savings and improve health care in Arkansas continues. Our
aim is to set an example other states can follow, regardless of what
transpires next in Washington, D.C."
Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, on the other hand, vowed to continue fighting the law.
"As a candidate, I promised to join a lawsuit challenging Obamacare. Today I make a new promise that, despite the fact we didn't get the result we wanted from the Supreme Court, I will continue to stand with 70% of Arkansans and fight this over-reaching act.
"This ruling tells us the Federal government cannot punish states if they choose not to participate in this Medicaid expansion program. This decision underscores the fact that when Arkansas' political establishment said we had to grow government, they were wrong. What conservative legislators have been saying was right: we unnecessarily wasted millions of dollars starting healthcare exchanges in Arkansas when we didn't have to.
"Today I call on every elected official who serves in this Capitol to publically take a stand. Will you side with President Obama and continue to burden Arkansans, or will you join me in bringing real healthcare reform to our state. To the people of Arkansas, I say this, I heard your concerns and I stood with you. Today, I continue standing with you. Together, we will win the battle."
