Shakopee Area Reacts to Health Care Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court Thursday upheld the constitutionality of the "individual mandate," the centerpiece of the Affordable Health Care Act that President Barack Obama signed into law last year.

Five of the nine justices agreed that the key to the act—the requirement that people either buy health insurance or pay a tax penalty—is a kind of tax, which Congress is allowed to impose using its taxing power, according to the Bloomberg News-operated SCOTUSblog.

CEO, David Abelson, MD, said in a memo to employees today that the ruling is significant news in a healthcare marketplace where reform is needed and already occurring.

"The traditional, volume-based fee-for-service model of healthcare is broken," he said. "Our payers (government, businesses, families and individuals) are demanding changes in the reimbursement of healthcare services. As providers, we are searching for ways to achieve the “Triple Aim” in healthcare: healthy communities with great experiences and outcomes for individuals provided at a sustainable cost."

"The Affordable Care Act is a first step in providing insurance to uninsured Americans and in protecting people who have pre-existing medical conditions when they seek medical insurance," Abelson continued. "It does not substantially change the work we are already doing at Park Nicollet, however. Government, business and families continue to struggle under the cost of health care. It is our obligation to work with our partners, public and private, to make health care more affordable."

"This is a good thing," Sharron Rayburn, 34, of Prior Lake said while grabbing a coffee at Starbucks. "There are so many lies out there ... that this law hurts jobs, and the death panels and all that. This is a good plan that will reduce health care costs and benefit all people. It's just that Republicans didn't think of it first that has them in a tizzy."

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Not surprisingly, Republicans are calling for repeal while Democrats are cheering.

Rep. Mike Beard, R-Shakopee, called it, "a frightening expansion of government power ... unprecedented, I think, in the history of the Republic." 

He also said state legislators have little to do with it, "except react to the enormous expense we're going to be saddled with. There's nothing we can do to amend it, repeal it, or anything like that, particularly with the Governor we have," he told Patch by phone on the way to Duluth Friday.

was one Republican leading the call for repeal, calling the ruling a "devastating blow" for Americans.

“If Washington can penalize private citizens for failing to buy government-approved health insurance, then there is no reasonable limit on federal power," Kline said. "The president’s health care law has radically transformed our careful system of government in which power is derived from the people. The vast majority of the public does not support this government takeover of health care and Congress must continue its efforts to repeal it.

“Regardless of the court’s decision, ObamaCare continues to destroy jobs, raise health care costs, and weaken our economy," Kline continued. "It was the wrong prescription for reform and it must be repealed. As I listen to families and small businesses in Minnesota and across the country, rising costs continues to be their top health care concern. President Obama should stop defending a fatally flawed scheme and start working with Republicans on step-by-step solutions that will expand access to more affordable health care.”

, a Democrat running for the District 55 state senate seat, called this a great day, for not only for our president, but for millions of Americans that are ill or have pre-existing conditions.

"When people look back on the Obama administration years from now, The Affordable Care Act is one of his greatest policy achievements," he said.

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton also released a statement applauding the ruling.

“I am very pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to fully uphold the Affordable Care Act. Today’s ruling will be met with relief by the Minnesotans whose lives have already been improved by this law. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, affirmed by the Supreme Court today:

• Minnesotans can no longer be denied coverage for preexisting conditions.
• Seniors pay less for prescription drugs
• Small businesses will have affordable insurance options for employees
• Young people can continue to be covered by their parents' health insurance until age 26. 

“This ruling is also an affirmation of the reform efforts currently underway in Minnesota to improve the quality and lower the cost of health care. We have long been a national leader in healthcare reform –a reputation that will be enhanced as we work with private and public sector leaders to implement the Affordable Care Act in Minnesota.”

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