State Rep. Ken Kurtz, R-Coldwater, weighed in on the Supreme Court ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act, calling it a difficult day for Michigan residents and a setback for our countrys system of free-market principles. He said in a press release The ruling is very disappointing, and I believe we must now respond swiftly to make sure that we, the people of Michigan not the federal government are in charge of our own system. The historic health care overhaul narrowly survived an election-year battle at the Supreme Court Thursday with the improbable help of conservative Chief Justice John Roberts. Said the Associated Press, But the ruling, by a 5-4 vote, also gave Republicans unexpected ammunition to energize supporters for the fall campaign against President Barack Obama. We are ecstatic. This is great news for all Michiganders who are one accident, one tumor or one layoff away from health and financial disaster. The Affordable Care Act was a century in the making to provide all Americans with access to affordable, quality healthcare, said Karen Holcomb-Merrill of the Michigan League for Human Services. Everyone wants the security of knowing they can see a doctor when they are ill or have the medications or treatments that they need. U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton released a statement saying Today the Supreme Court ruled that President Obama broke his pledge of the law not increasing taxes and that there does not seem to be a limit to what the federal government can force us to do. He said the ruling in no way prevents Congress from repealing and replacing the law in the future. I remain committed to defunding, dismantling and repealing the law. Health care decisions should be made by patients, families and their doctors, not by bureaucrats in Washington who are burdening seniors and future generations with less choice, fewer services and more debt, Walberg said. Let it also be noted that the burden includes increased taxes on all and especially those with the least ability to pay. State Sen. Bruce Caswell said he had not had time yet Friday to study the decision, but that he believes the federal government should not be in the health care business. Like Kurtz, he noted Medicaid is going to be up to the state. That should be interesting, he said. As for the overall ruling, he said it is what it is, and noted there are elections in November. Kurtz said The Legislature will consider every option that makes the lives of Michigan residents better and prevents the federal government from micromanaging our health-care decisions. He noted the court found problems with the laws expansion of Medicaid, but he was pleased the feds do not threaten to withhold states entire Medicaid allotment if they dont take part. Reaction to the High Court decision was in abundance both pro and con. A statement from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) said the ruling is a deep disappointment to small businesses everywhere. While we are certainly disappointed, NFIB respects the decision to uphold the individual mandate by the Supreme Court. Clearly this mandate has now become a tax on all Americans and a broken campaign promise from President Obama not to raise taxes, said Dan Danner, NFIB president. National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said Farmers, ranchers and rural residents face significant barriers to obtaining accessible, affordable health care. He continued, The ACA contains significant, necessary reforms that help all Americans, including those who are self-employed and purchasing expensive care from the individual market, afford insurance and the preventive care they need; provides resources to rural health care providers and incentives to physicians serving in rural areas; bars health care companies from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions; and closes the Medicare prescription drug coverage donut hole. More information about this issue can be found at www.hillsdale.net.

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