Obamacare - Still an Issue for Debate

The Supreme Court's ruling on ObamaCare did nothing to bridge the divide between Democrats and Republicans. There is no middle ground, it seems, when discussing healthcare.

Some of our representatives and community leaders had these things to say:  

In a press release on Thursday, U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said he was "sorely disappointed that the Court has upheld the individual mandate as a legal tax on the American people. Today’s ruling does not change the fact that there have been enormous problems trying to implement this terribly flawed law and that it must be repealed and replaced with a step-by-step approach that makes health care more accessible, affordable and competitive.” 

In an e-mail to the Lilburn Patch, Rep. David Casas, R - Lilburn, District 103 stated: "The Supreme Court has set a precedent today that there are now no limits to what Congress can tax. The Federal Government has been empowered to tax not only our income, our property and our purchases, but it can now tax our behavior. You will be allowed to still have choice, but with a cost. Contrary to the President's opinion, this bill will only harm the poor and the middle class who cannot afford to pay for their choice. Future Congresses are now empowered to make you and I buy anything they feel we must buy – healthcare is just the beginning. I pray that the election in November will be the beginning of a push back to policies that are in line with our Constitution and the vision of our Founding Fathers."

Travis Bowden, a candidate for State Senate District 9 had this to say in his press release:  “Today’s Supreme Court ruling upholding ObamaCare was a major disaster. I’m disappointed that the Justices of the highest court in America decided to trample the rights and liberties of American citizens. Government spending and intrusion into citizens’ lives is becoming more of a threat to our freedoms, both in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.” 

Sophie Logman, of the House Democratic Caucus provided a press release stating that "the decision will improve how Americans receive and pay for their personal medical care."

In that same release House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams says that she is gratified by the Court’s landmark ruling and its willingness to place principle over politics. “The Supreme Court today issued an extraordinary ruling that will help millions of American families achieve better access to medical care and no longer have to choose between economic security and their health,” she said. “We are very pleased by the Court’s decision to uphold President Obama’s signature achievement and its protections for Georgia families. Two million Georgians will have new access to insurance, and more will gain preventative care, lower costs and quality service.”

In the June 29th Question of the Day, we asked: Obamacare: Now That We Know, What Do You Think?  Our readers are still debating: 

RL - With this ruling, the federal government can impose anything they want to on the citizens. If said citizens do not want to comply, they get taxed. Wake up people, this ruling is the beginning of the end. Are you so pitiful that you want others to provide for you through the power of the imperial federal government?

kathy - I think this is another milestone in our nation that will benefit all Americans. Especially those who have been denied insurance due to pre-existing health problems. I think the Obama Adminstration did a great job in the write up of this healthcare so that congress couldn't pull their usual control. Oppressing the people in this country and denying people in this country is not in our constitution but it is done everyday.

Cassie BrownI think the whole system needs fixing and Obama can't fix it. The only thing that will ever fix it is completely getting insurance out of our medical business and letting you & your doctor decide what is best for your care; and you and your doctor work out a plan to take care of that. Insurance companies are not interested in our health. They are interested in our dollars. They couldn't care any less about how healthy or unhealthy you are and that is the part that has to change. Get costs back down to where we only need insurance for major medical stuff and premiums that reflect that.

Brian Crawford - This is a victory for all Americans. The irony here is that the individual mandate is a Republican idea that would otherwise be embraced by conservatives if not for the fact that they have an irrational hatred of President Obama. Both parties deserve a great deal of credit for passing health care reform that attempts to maintain a market based solution. The notion that Obamacare is a "government takeover" of health care is absurd. The Affordable Care Act was the epitome of compromise ...

So we ask you, what do you think? Will this issue make a difference in how you vote locally? Will it have a significant impact on the Presidential election?