Poll: Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Individual Mandate

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld 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.

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 that 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.

King County Executive Dow Constantine commented on Thursday's Supreme Court ruling upholding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, saying:

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 nationwide 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.

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna issued the following in a press statement:

Our system of government provides a series of checks and balances, allowing new laws—especially ones that raise major constitutional questions—to be tested in court...While we’re disappointed that this close decision did not find in the states’ favor with regard to the individual mandate, the country benefits from a thoughtful debate about the reach of federal power into the legal rights of the states and the personal financial decisions of all Americans.

Gov. Chris Gregoire posted this message on her 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.