What Do Fridley Folks Make of the Supreme Court's Health Care Ruling?

Updated continuously as more opinions come in. Local institutions and individuals are starting to react to the news Thursday morning that the U.S. Supreme Court decision that President Obama's health care reform law is constitutional.

Here is a sampling of the local responses so far. Look for more updates to this post as more responses come in—and add yours, in comments below or at the Fridley Patch Facebook page.

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"We began planning for implementation of the measures in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) long ago. We have been engaged in payment and delivery system reform changes that started before passage of the ACA in the private sector and that will continue. We remain committed to executing on our key strategies which will allow us to succeed in any environment."

Brandon Antonio Dominguez (on Facebook):

"Great day for Americans. The SCOTUS put politics aside and made the right decision for all Americans, present and future."

Chris W. Nutting (on Facebook):

"I am all for it and I hope that everyone can respect the decision of our highest court."

State Rep. Carolyn Laine (DFL):

"I am very glad that people with pre-existing conditions (and that would be every one of us at some point in our lives) will not be denied insurance. This would have been one of the outcomes of the Supreme Court striking down the individual mandate. I consider the Affordable Care Act to be a step in the right direction, but our real need is for a solid Medicare program for all. 

"However, another view on the health needs of our nation is touched on in the Brockovich town meeting yesterday. Industrial pollutants harm our health. Why would anyone think it is acceptable that 50% of us will get cancer?! MinnPost has just posted the causes of death in 2010 compared with 1900. Cancer rates have increased 3-fold. The common response is that we live longer. First, why would that, by itself, cause that much more cancer? But second and more telling, the rates for deaths related to dementia have not increased, in spite of the fact more of us live into older ages. 

"So, although I think the Supreme Court decision is good, I also urge us as Americans to look unflinchingly at everything that is impacting our health and hence our health care costs, and to continue to strive for what every other developed country has: good health care readily available for everyone"

Fairview Health Services Interim CEO Chuck Mooty:

"Overall, we are pleased that the Supreme Court has released their decision because now we know the context in which we move forward.  Fairview remains committed to transforming care and payment systems to improve care, improve patient experience and reduce the total cost of care. For us, it is all about creating greater value for those we serve.

"We’ve had great success working with local payers in our market to support changes in care delivery and payment, and we intend to continue those efforts. As one of the 32 Medicare Pioneer Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), our ongoing work also will include delivering greater value to Medicare beneficiaries. These are just a few examples of how we are and will remain engaged in health reform.

"On behalf of all those we serve, we will continue to seek additional ways to work with patients, families, employers and payers—both commercial health plans and government payers—to change the way health care is delivered and paid for here and across the country."

Dale Helm, Republican candidate for Minnesota House of Representatives, District 41A:

"Health Care Reform is vital in this country – but – removing your freedom to accomplish it is unacceptable. A very dangerous precedent has been set today by this ruling that will set the stage to have even more of your freedoms taken away in the name of any cause or issue in the future. Good government is supposed to be protecting our freedoms and our constitution not dismantling it.

"Our supreme court realized that the commerce clause was not a supportable or constitutionally sound argument when it came to mandating you buy healthcare. This left them to review the other argument that 'congress has the authority to tax' – which of course is true. If you remember however, congress and our president assured us before the bill was passed that this was not a tax – nor will it be implemented as a tax.

"After the passing of the bill this promise was quickly forgotten and the language immediately changed. The American people have been given the political 'Bait and Switch.' Now this law will be referred to as the Health Care Tax.

"The saddest part of all of this is that the real problems of health care reform 'still' have not been addressed by Obamacare. What brought our nation into this great debate were the rising costs of medical care. True reform concentrates on the issues of cost, coverage, portability, and control. Obamacare addresses none of these. What it does do is expand government’s authority and role over your health care options and grants benefits to more Americans.

"Most projections and studies have shown that health care costs will go up while quality of service will go down under Obamacare yet here we are forcing it down the throat of the American people. This is the trademark of bad legislation – not good legislation. Good legislation “empowers law abiding people” it does not oppress them."