Johnston Republican Says Supreme Court Decision on Health-Care Reform Won't Matter

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to won't hold much water when it comes to the November election, one local Republican said.

, the Republican candidate for Iowa House District 39, said he doesn't think the decision really matters.

"Since we're going to take back the presidency," he said. "I don't agree with the decision, but I think it will hurt Obama in November. Romney will win and it will be struck down."

On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark decision to uphold the constitutionality of the law. The court's ruling gives the president a major political victory and maintains health care coverage for thousands of Iowans.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., writing for a 5-4 majority, said that the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the right to impose individual mandates, the centerpiece of the legislation, according to The New York Times.

The decision did significantly restrict one major portion of the law: the expansion of Medicaid, the government health-insurance program for low-income and sick people, The New York Times reported. The ruling gives states some flexibility not to expand their Medicaid programs, without paying the same financial penalties called for by the law.

The Affordable Care Act, which was signed by President Obama in 2010, puts in place consumer protections and provides additional coverage options.

The reforms were intended to gradually roll out starting in 2014 and through later years.

The Supreme Court was tasked with determining the constitutionality of the law, focusing mostly on the requirement that Americans purchase insurance or face a fine.