California Officials React to Obamacare Supreme Court Ruling

As news of the on President Obama’s Healthcare Reform Act broke, many official California supporters were quick to release official statements, excerpts of which are reprinted below:

Los Angeles County Democratic Party Chair and California Democratic Party Vice-Chair Eric C. Bauman

I applaud the Supreme Court's ruling this morning to uphold the Affordable Care Act, the signature piece of legislation of President Obama's first term. More than 44 million Americans without insurance will not lose their opportunity to get health care or be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition, and those who are insured no longer face the threat of losing their coverage if they get sick.

Rep. Ed Royce (R-Fullerton)   

I am extremely disappointed in today's ruling. The president's health care bill, one of the most intrusive bills this nation has ever seen, was a huge step toward a Washington-controlled health care system.

L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chairman Zev Yaroslavsky

Providing health care services to the community is among our highest priorities as County officials…For the last two years Los Angeles has been preparing to transition to health care under the Affordable Care Act.  With the Supreme Court decision behind us, we can now turn our attention to full implementation of the law in 2014."

Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, (R-Huntington Beach)

It's now time for the American people to speak out and reject the job killing, massive tax increasing government takeover of health care that is Obamacare by electing a president and representatives willing to fully repeal and replace this monstrosity.

Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Director Dr. Mitchell Katz

As a result of today’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), over 80% of the 2.2 million people who are currently uninsured in Los Angeles County stand to gain access to affordable insurance coverage. 

In addition to those who will be newly eligible for Medi-Cal, three-quarters of a million additional County residents will be able to purchase affordable health insurance through the state’s health insurance exchange, take control of their health, and reduce pressure on our strained County-run health care system.

Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon (R-Santa Clarita)  

Obamacare is still a dangerous collaboration of bad legislating, smoke
and mirrors calculations and dangerous policy...Born from
intensely partisan, back-door deals and closed-room meetings, Obamacare is a boondoggle of historic proportions.

California Gov. Gerry Brown

Today's dramatic Supreme Court ruling removes the last roadblock to fulfilling President Obama's historic plan to bring health care to millions of uninsured citizens.

Elizabeth Benson Forer, executive director of Venice Family Clinic

With 7 million uninsured residents in California and 2.7 million people in Los Angeles County alone with no heath insurance, the Court’s decision means California can move forward with fully implementing the Affordable Care Act and providing a health care system that truly works for all Californians.  We thank President Obama for his leadership on this issue and applaud the Supreme Court for upholding the fact that health care is not a political or social issue—it’s a basic human right.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa

Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court to uphold the basic provisions of the Affordable Care Act is a historic step forward for our country. Healthcare for each and every individual is not a privilege; it’s a right. This morning’s decision is a victory for all Americans, and I could not be prouder.

By upholding the Affordable Care Act the Supreme Court ensured 3.1 million young people – including 435,000 young Californians – will maintain their coverage. The Court’s ruling protects Americans with preexisting conditions and provides them with access to the safe and secure healthcare options that were once out of reach. By ruling that those people who can afford to buy insurance have an obligation to do so, the Court has reaffirmed the bedrock principle of personal responsibility. And most importantly, the Court’s ruling moves our nation one step closer to the ultimate goal of providing healthcare for all. More than 30 million Americans will gain affordable health care with the enactment of this bill. This is a momentous achievement that should be rightly celebrated.

—City News Service contributed to this report.