QUOTES: Local Reaction to Supreme Court Ruling on Obamacare

Once news broke that the , Minnetonka-area folks and state politicians started issuing statements and voicing opinions. Here are some of them:

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Congressman Erik Paulsen, Minnesota's Third District

"While I respect the Court’s decision, it doesn’t change the fact that the health care law’s policy is flawed and remains very unpopular with the majority of Americans. The 2,700 page law  was imprudently crafted in a way which threatens good private coverage, robs $500 billion from seniors, and leaves in its wake a legacy of debt for our children and grandchildren. 

I remain opposed to the $29 billion new tax on medical device innovation which threatens 10% of a workforce that accounts for over 432,000 American jobs. 

Americans deserve a government that works together towards meaningful health care reform. Unfortunately, today’s ruling does not bring us closer to that goal, and only says that Americans must now face a choice between either paying a massive new tax or higher insurance premiums. I will continue working to find common sense, patient-centered solutions that actually lower health care costs for families and small businesses." 

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State Sen. Terri Bonoff, District 43

"In Minnesota, we have long recognized the importance of making sure everyone has insurance. We adopted Minnesota Care as our 'public option' many years ago. This option is delivered by the private market. It has served us well. The Health Insurance Exchange can and should represent the next generation of affordable, accessible and portable options for health insurance. It is my hope that together we can both deliver on the promise that healthcare reform offers as well as solve the cost barriers and burdens that have yet to be addressed.

The new health care reform law has already touched my family and I. My young adult children are on my health insurance, which gives them great flexibility early in their careers. One of my children has a chronic disease. Were it not for this law, access to care would be in jeopardy."

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State Sen. David Hann, District 42

"I think ultimately this has always been a political question, even if the mandate had been found unconstitutional, which I think it should have been. I guess it was in a way. They basically said it was unconstitutional the way the law was written, but they said they you can construct it as a tax.

So the very thing the democrats said it wasn't, the courts said 'Well if it is, you can do it.' I think that question is really one for the public to decide on. Do they want this? Do they want the federal government to take over federal health care? I think that has always been the question. There's still a host of things to be addressed in the next Congress. I think that's going to be a major issue for the campaign."

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Stephen J. Hemsley, president and CEO of UnitedHealth Group

“The protections we are voluntarily extending are good for people’s health, promote broader access to quality care and contribute to helping control rising health care costs. These provisions make sense for the people we serve, and it is important to ensure they know these provisions will continue. These provisions are compatible with our mission and continue our operating practices.”

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Wendy Jerde, North Memorial Public Relations

"Healthcare is currently in a state of transformation and having some resolution will better allow us, and most healthcare organizations, to plan for the immediate future. Through it all, North Memorial is committed to serving our patients with compassionate, remarkable care." ---

Chuck Mooty, interim CEO, Fairview Health Services

“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.”

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota will continue the work we began more than two years ago of implementing the law in a manner that strives to serve the best interests of our members and all Minnesotans. 

As the state’s leading health plan, Blue Cross and Blue Shield considers reform to be something that also happens outside of legislation. We believe the kind of systematic change needed to tackle rising health care costs and drive improvements in overall health can and is being advanced though innovative collaborations with providers, consumers, employers and other stakeholders – all of whom share our goal of creating better health solutions for the greatest number of people, and at the greatest value.”

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Mary Gamec, local resident

“I don't think that the healthcare program that Obama was bringing down could be understood by the everyday person because they insert so many things in it and you don't know what you're getting. I don't think the average person can really give an opinion when it's not clear. You hear one thing on one channel and another thing on another. But then I hear that states have the right to do what they want to do. I don't know enough about it to give an opinion, and that's the frustrating part. This is far from over.”

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What do you have to say? Tell us in the comments.