Keating 'Applauds' Supreme Court Decision on Obamacare

Today's Supreme Court decision to uphold most of the major components of the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, surprised many when Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the four more libreal justices in a 5-4 decision.

President Barack Obama took to the airwaves just after noon to applaud today's decision, while acknowledging that the individual mandate remains a divisive issue, but he pointed out, "This idea has enjoyed support from both parties, including the current Republican nominee for president."

He added, "It should be pretty clear by now didn't do this because it was good politics...I did it because I believed it was good for the American people."

Massachusetts Congressman Bill Keating called today's decision a victory for "for the men and women with pre-existing conditions who previously couldn’t get quality, affordable healthcare coverage; for the young adults who wouldn’t have coverage without being able to stay on their parents’ plans; and for the seniors that are facing rising prescription drug prices."

To put the magnitude of this decision in perspective – Massachusetts has a population of 6.6 million people.  That is same number of young adults across the country, up to age 26, who have already taken advantage of the law to obtain health insurance through their parents’ plan.  Without that option, an estimated 3.1 million of them would be uninsured.

I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision and commitment to upholding the principles of the Constitution.  Today’s discussions, however, as to the Court’s rationale and the political ramifications of this decision are of little consequence to me so long as coverage is expanded, costs are lowered and our citizens receive the best possible care.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney framed the ruling as enabling voters to make a clear distinction between current policy and what he called a far less government-intrusive approach, according to CBS.

"This is the time of choice for the American people," Romney said today. "Our mission is clear: If we want to get rid of Obamacare, we're going to have to replace President Obama. My mission is to make sure we do exactly that."