McMorris Rodgers responds to health care decision

I was inside the Supreme Court yesterday when Chief Justice Roberts announced the Court’s historic ruling upholding the Affordable Care Act. As a mom of two young children, a wife who helps balance the family budget, and someone who helped run a family-owned small business, I am disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision – especially on the individual mandate, which is a dangerous expansion of government power.

The health care law that passed Congress over the will of the American people two years ago was a disastrous law that raised costs, made it harder for small businesses to hire employees, and cut Medicare, among other things. Now, after months of deliberation, the Supreme Court has ruled that while the law might be unworkable, it’s not unconstitutional. The Court determined that the individual mandate is a tax, and therefore is constitutional under Congress’ right to levy taxes. Of course, even Chief Justice Roberts acknowledged this tax would be an unprecedented one. For the first time, Congress will be able to tax someone for something they don’t do, as opposed for something they do.

While I do not agree with the Court’s decision, I respect it and encourage others to do the same. The Court’s ruling will have no impact on Congress’ continuing efforts to repeal the law. In fact, we are more determined than ever to repeal it and replace it with something better.

Instead of celebrating, President Obama should recognize the inherent problems with his law and work with Republicans to find better solutions. Together, we should implement a series of common-sense, step-by-step reforms that will put patients in charge of their health care decisions and use the principles of choice and competition to expand access, lower costs, and improve quality.

The Supreme Court spoke yesterday, but they won’t have the final word. The American people will have the final word in November.

I pledge to keep fighting for a better way on health care. Together, we have the power to build a true 21st century health care system.