N.C. politicos react to SCOTUS health care ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act expectedly elicited a good bit of reaction from North Carolina politicians. Click below reaction from across the spectrum.

Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue: “This morning’s Supreme Court ruling will be welcome news for the approximately 95,000 young people ages 19 to 25 who will be able to stay on their family’s health insurance plan because of this law. It’s welcome news for the approximately 539,000 North Carolina children with preexisting medical conditions, because this law prevents insurance companies from denying these children coverage.

"And it’s welcome news for women in North Carolina, who will get preventative health services, like cervical cancer screenings, mammograms, well-woman visits and domestic violence screenings; for seniors, who will benefit from a stronger Medicare and from more affordable prescription drugs; and for families, who will no longer have to worry constantly about having their coverage canceled or about being harmed by lifetime caps on patient care.

"I am committed to continuing to move forward, and to keep fighting to ensure that all North Carolinians have affordable, reliable health coverage that they can count on.”

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton: "While this is not a perfect law, I applaud the federal government's effort, because doing nothing would cost us more. I still have concerns about the law's effect on small businesses, and I hope that Congress will take steps to lower any burden on them. For the uninsured, an emergency room visit is the only option and that's enormously expensive and we all pay for it in the end. The Supreme Court decision now sets the course to continue to make the law better and provide affordable medical care for all citizens."

Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory: "Today's decision by the Supreme Court is disappointing and upholds a law that I believe is the wrong approach for the people of North Carolina. This decision reaffirms what we already knew: the national healthcare law supported by Governor Perdue and Lt. Governor Dalton is a tax on North Carolinians. It greatly concerns me that I hear from small business owners in North Carolina that they will not hire more workers because of the costs of this healthcare plan. 

"Our state has one of the worst economies in the country and the last thing our small businesses need is another major impediment to growing their businesses. I hope Congress and our next President can successfully overturn the law and replace it with healthcare reform that is less partisan, divisive, and doesn't put the federal government between doctors and patients."

Young Democrats of North Carolina President Sam Spencer: "The Affordable Care Act is a landmark piece of legislation that benefits Americans of all ages, and I am proud the Supreme Court upheld President Obama's work. The legislation upheld by the Supreme Court is the centerpiece of President Obama's commitment to young Americans. It reduces the national debt that young Americans will have to pay. It allows young Americans to stay on their parents' healthcare after college, and it gives young Americans with preexisting conditions the dignity of affordable health care. Young women won't have to pay more than men for health care, and some young Americans will receive rebates from their insurance companies. 95,000 North Carolinians have already had the opportunity to stay on their parents' health care, and young Americans will continue to benefit from this landmark legislation. President Obama fought for young Americans, and because of his leadership young Americans won today."

Republican Congressional candidate David Rouzer: "The Supreme Court's decision today strikes at the soul of America -- our freedom.  The door is now open for the federal government to control every aspect of our lives as long as any proposed legislation is a 'tax.'

"Just because the law has been ruled constitutional doesn't mean it is good.  ... We need less government control in healthcare so that individuals and families can afford to receive quality care.  Only the free market produces the very best product for the lowest possible price."

State Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger: “The North Carolina Senate does not intend to take up the Health Care Exchange bill this session.  The General Assembly needs time to process and understand this mixed ruling on Obamacare.”

GOP Congressional candidate Richard Hudson: "I am outraged by this 5-4 decision to uphold Obamacare. When our federal government can force American citizens to purchase a commercial product under threat of an oppressive tax, all of our freedom is threatened,” said Hudson. “It is more important than ever that we send consistent conservatives to Congress. Make no mistake about it, I will fight to repeal and replace Obamacare.”

N.C. Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes: “Today’s decision has set the stakes for the election in November. North Carolinians will have the ability to elect Mitt Romney, who will repeal Obamacare and bring about true health care reform. The way this government takeover of healthcare passed was troubling. Nancy Pelosi infamously proclaimed, 'We have to pass the bill to find out what is in it.' Obamacare is loaded with new taxes and regulations, things that hurt small businesses. The Obama-Pelosi philosophy of “passing the bill to find out what is in it” was wrong from the beginning, and America deserves better leadership.

"America deserves a President like Mitt Romney who respects private enterprise and understands how jobs are created. The NCGOP looks forward to helping elect Mitt Romney to be the next President of the United States.”

Democratic Congressman Brad Miller: "The status quo in America has been paying twice as much for health care as other developed countries, and Americans aren’t as healthy and don’t live as long. Something had to give. Now we need to make the reform work."

GOP U.S. Senator Richard Burr: “The Court has now fulfilled its obligation as final arbiter of the constitutionality of the President’s health care law, and I thank them for their service.  While the Court has been reviewing this law for months, American families and businesses have been reviewing it for years, and they have rendered their verdict as well.  People on both sides of the health care debate will spend the days and weeks to come discussing the impact of today’s ruling, but a few things remain clear: our health care system is broken, costs remain unchecked, and outcomes are not improving.  I remain committed to addressing these concerns and fulfilling our obligation to the American people to lower health care costs, expand coverage and choice, and build on the innovation that sets America apart from the rest of the world.”

Democratic Congressman David Price: “The Court’s affirmation of the Affordable Care Act is very encouraging. Working and middle class Americans deserve access to affordable, dependable health care.  While Republicans have opposed the law’s consumer protections, tax breaks for small business, and expanded prescription drug coverage for seniors, I continue to believe it is landmark legislation that will improve health care for millions of Americans. ... Today’s decision reaffirms that no American will be denied health insurance coverage because they’re sick, and insurance companies can’t drop coverage when they need it the most. The ACA empowers consumers.  It is an important step forward, and I am proud to have voted for it.”