Local Reaction Mixed on Supreme Court's Obamacare Ruling

Local institutions and individuals are reacting to the news Thursday that the U.S. Supreme Court decision that President Obama's health care reform law is constitutional.

Here is a sampling of the local responses so far. Look for updates to this post as more responses come in—and add yours, in comments below or at the Edina Patch Facebook page.

Dr. Tushar Vora, a cardiologist at Fairview Southdale Hospital, told folks change was coming during a presentation at Wood Lake Nature Center Wednesday afternoon.

We're on the cusp of a very different kind of healthcare, but we're not there yet. It's a very complicated thing and I don't want to say I know everything about [Obamacare], but that's the way we are going.

, Republican candidate for U.S. Congressional District 5:

Chief Justice John Roberts demonstrated that he is able to independently and objectively interpret the law. We need more of those qualities in the people who are charged with serving our country. 

Where I do believe Americans were let down is in an interpretation of law that allows for a group of individuals of one party to ram a tax down the throats of Americans for simply breathing. The ruling that the Affordable Care Act is a tax is damaging to personal choice because it will open the floodgates to a plethora of new taxes and new laws."

Keith Ellison (DFL), U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District:

This ruling is a significant victory for the American people. After a two-year legal battle, the Supreme Court confirmed today that the Affordable Care Act will continue to provide millions of Americans with health coverage. The health care reform act provides that children will not be denied coverage due to a preexisting condition, young adults will be able to stay on their family health plan, and that Americans can keep their health care insurance if they get a major illness. The Affordable Care Act will now take its rightful place with Social Security and Medicare as powerful examples of what we can do together to improve the lives of every American.

Despite today’s victory, Republicans in Congress will continue their assault on universal health care for the American people. Throughout this year, GOP lawmakers have tried to repeal and cut back health care benefits, including Medicare and Medicaid. We must continue to work together to protect vital reforms that will improve the health of every American.

Today’s decision is a turning point for the American people. Let’s remember that millions of American families suffered without health care coverage for decades. The health care law has already benefited millions of families. The Court’s decision to uphold this law President Obama proposed and Congress enacted is a sign that dramatic change can happen when the American people demand change. We have made an important step forward toward our goal of affordable universal coverage. Now we need to be vigilant to implement the law so that American families have the health care they need and deserve.

Brian Barnes, Democratic candidate for U.S. Congressional District 3:

This is good news for our country. Good news for the millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions, for families with young adult children that can stay on their parents insurance until they're 26, for seniors needing more affordable prescription drugs, and for our dedicated nurses, doctors and other healthcare professionals. But with healthcare costs at 17% of our GDP, there is more work to be done. This isn't a political issue. It is a common-sense economic and quality of life issue. When I’m elected to Congress, you can count on me to continue to work to reduce costs and improve access to reliable health care in our country.

Erik Paulsen (R), U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District:

While I respect the Court’s decision, it doesn’t change the fact that the health care law’s policy is flawed and remains very unpopular with the majority of Americans. The 2,700 page law  was imprudently crafted in a way which threatens good private coverage, robs $500 billion from seniors, and leaves in its wake a legacy of debt for our children and grandchildren. 

I remain opposed to the $29 billion new tax on medical device innovation which threatens 10% of a workforce that accounts for over 432,000 American jobs. 

Americans deserve a government that works together towards meaningful health care reform. Unfortunately, today’s ruling does not bring us closer to that goal, and only says that Americans must now face a choice between either paying a massive new tax or higher insurance premiums. I will continue working to find common sense, patient-centered solutions that actually lower health care costs for families and small businesses. 

Chuck Mooty, Interim CEO at Fairview Health Services:

Overall, we are pleased that the Supreme Court has released their decision because now we know the context in which we move forward.  Fairview remains committed to transforming care and payment systems to improve care, improve patient experience and reduce the total cost of care. For us, it is all about creating greater value for those we serve.

We’ve had great success working with local payers in our market to support changes in care delivery and payment, and we intend to continue those efforts. As one of the 32 Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), our ongoing work also will include delivering greater value to Medicare beneficiaries. These are just a few examples of how we are and will remain engaged in health reform.

On behalf of all those we serve, we will continue to seek additional ways to work with patients, families, employers and payers—both commercial health plans and government payers—to change the way health care is delivered and paid for here and across the country. 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will continue the work we began more than two years ago of implementing the law in a manner that strives to serve the best interests of our members and all Minnesotans. 

As the state’s leading health plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield considers reform to be something that also happens outside of legislation. We believe the kind of systematic change needed to tackle rising health care costs and drive improvements in overall health can and is being advanced though innovative collaborations with providers, consumers, employers and other stakeholders – all of whom share our goal of creating better health solutions for the greatest number of people, and at the greatest value.

Follow Edina Patch on Twitter | Like us on Facebook | Sign up for our daily newsletter