Local Representatives Release Statements

Our local representatives reacted today to the Supreme decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.

Below are statements released by U.S. Rep. Ed Royce, R-Fullerton and Congressman Gary Miller (R-Diamond Bar.)

Gary Miller

“I am deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision today. The ruling to uphold Obamacare’s individual mandate as a tax is particularly troubling given the fact that the Administration repeatedly claimed that the requirement was not a tax prior to the law’s passage. I continue to believe that the individual mandate is a breach of individual liberty, and that health care decisions are best left in the hands of patients and their families – not government bureaucrats.

Unless the law is repealed, Americans will be forced to purchase government-approved insurance that they may not want or need. The law’s draconian employer penalties give businesses an incentive to drop their employees’ health coverage, violating the President’s promise that those who like their current coverage could keep it, and limit hiring at a time of continued high unemployment. Under the ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act, health care spending will continue to rise for both patients and the federal government, violating yet another major promise of the Administration.  Today’s ruling also leaves intact the ability of fifteen unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats to require cuts to Medicare.

We must repeal this disastrous law, which was passed in the middle of the night over the objections of the American people. Instead of burdensome mandates, taxes, and regulations that will not bring down health care costs, we need common-sense reforms that will increase access to affordable health care and puts patients in charge of their health care. This includes expanding insurance portability, offering tax breaks to allow Americans to purchase health insurance of their choosing, allowing the sale of health insurance across state lines, and promoting association health plans that will help small businesses band together to provide insurance to their employees at an affordable price.

By keeping intact this unworkable and costly law, the ruling today is bad news for patients and for American taxpayers. I will continue to work in Congress to repeal this law so we can start over and reform our health care system to ensure that it preserves the doctor-patient relationship, reins in spiraling health care costs, and expands access to quality care for more Americans.”

Ed Royce

"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 that rations care, limits choice, and reduces quality, innovation, and competition.

"Today’s disappointing ruling means it is now on Congress to reform the most egregious aspects of this law. In its current form the President’s health care law is bad news for patients, doctors and small businesses.

"This law fails to deliver the reforms needed to fix the health care system, while creating a massive new entitlement program. The $2 trillion price tag (and rising) is "paid for" by taxpayers (who will see more than half a trillion in new taxes) and seniors (who will see $500 billion in cuts from Medicare), as well as by adding to the deficit.

"The Administration’s approach – reckless spending and government takeovers – is driving up health care costs and making it harder for small businesses to hire.

"This health care law has already broken a number of promises. Nonpartisan researchers have found that millions of Americans will lose their insurance coverage; so if you like your coverage, you can’t keep it. Premiums continue to rise, despite promises to reduce them by up to $2,500 per family, per year. The 4 million jobs promised by Pelosi have failed to come to fruition. In fact, the law’s enactment has contributed to our sluggish economy and high unemployment rate.

"Americans want the freedom and opportunity to make health care choices for their family. I am committed to working with my colleagues to achieve this objective by repealing this flawed law and beginning work on common sense solutions to lower health care costs."