POLL: Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Individual Mandate

The Supreme Court upholds the requirement that most Americans have health insurance on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to the Associated Press.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the majority opinion to uphold the individual mandate was written by Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts joined the 5-4 majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, upheld the mandate as a tax, although concluded it was not valid as an exercise of Congress' commerce clause power. Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan joined in the majority.

Live Coverage:

Wall Street Journal

Huffington Post

CNN

The Associated Press plans to host a chat on its Google+ page at 1 p.m. PDT to discuss the impact on Americans and the 2012 presidential election.

Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna, a Bellevue resident, recently defended Washington state's participation in the suit challenging the constitutionality of the mandated purchase of health insurance in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to the Issaquah Press.

At the heart of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is the mandate which requires people to buy health insurance or face a penalty. Opinions have varied on whether the federal government has the power to force such a purchase.

Follow this link to read the key features of the law.

Washington state reaction:

Enumclaw Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees President Kaylee Garrett:

As a foundation that is focused on becoming the healthiest community in the state we recognize that we will always have needs to support. While we do not know how this ruling will affect our community we will continue to work on the initiatives that have been identified as important.

• Access to Healthcare Services
• Drug and Alcohol Influence
• Violence reduction
• Mental Health Care access
• Hunger in our community

The long term effects of the ruling are unknown but your foundation will continue to work each day towards becoming a healthier community  and dealing with changes the ruling may cause.

Franciscan Health System, which operates St. Elizabeth Hospital in Enumclaw (through Facebook):

We at Franciscan Health System are gratified by the Supreme Court’s decision today to uphold the Affordable Care Act. Our highest priority is access and coverage for all, and the Affordable Care Act is a huge step in that direction, providing health care to millions of additional Americans who do not now have insurance. While the law is not perfect, it goes a long way toward helping us care for those who are most vulnerable and who need our help the most. Also, read the Washington State Hospital Association response: http://www.wsha.org/files/SCOTUS%20final.pdf

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.

I would like to extend my thanks to the members of our Washington State congressional delegation who championed the Affordable Care Act. They should be proud of their work on this historic legislation.

Even as today’s ruling upholds the Affordable Care Act, we are not going to rest on our laurels and turn away from efforts to reach those in need; we will continue to make the healthcare system more efficient. We owe it to our residents to keep searching for solutions to the healthcare issues that affect both their money and their health.”

Washington State Republican Party Chairman Kirby Wilbur

“This morning’s verdict by the Supreme Court finally defines this legislation as exactly what it is: a tax on the middle class. When President Obama was trying to sell his ill-conceived legislation he ‘rejected the notion’ that it was a tax; today the Supreme Court told him that he could not deceive the American public with his rhetoric any longer.

“I think it is important to highlight the distinction made by Justice Roberts in his final determination. He declared that this mandate was not constitutional under the interstate commerce clause or the necessary and proper clause. It was only deemed constitutional as a tax – the very word the President has rejected repeatedly in his pitch to the public. But spinning the story won’t change the facts, Mr. President.  Today’s decision sets the new precedent of a federal tax to compel behavior. It is an ominous one, and serves as a very slippery slope for our country.

“This law is unusual in that opposition to it has grown since its passage. The majority of Americans still oppose major portions of this act and I doubt the Court’s decision will alter that. Though the mandate was deemed a tax by the Supreme Court, and therefore constitutional, it is not now, nor has it ever been, good policy for our country. Today’s decision will mobilize our base around a greater than ever urgency to elect Mitt Romney in November, and a majority of Republicans to the House and Senate, as we work towards untangling this mess and regaining our liberties.”

Gov. Chris Gregoire (Facebook page):

An important day in Washington state for the 50,000 young adults who have gained coverage through their parents' plan, our 60,000 seniors who get help with prescription drugs, and millions no longer subject to unfair insurance practices. Look forward to the day when 800,000 people in our state can use the Health Benefit Exchange to get insurance they need but must currently go without.

We will add to this section as we receive information.