LITTLE ROCK — Politicians from around the state joined other Arkansans in issuing opinions of Wednesday's ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that upheld a majority of the health care reform act.
Various Democrats and Republicans made statements throughout the morning in favor and in opposition of the new law, which is set to be in place in 2014.
“We will study the impact the Court’s ruling will have on health care in Arkansas going forward," Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat, said in statement. "In the mean time, our separate initiative to create cost savings and improve health care in Arkansas continues. Our aim is to set an example other states can follow, regardless of what transpires next in Washington, D.C.”
The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the controversial law, which will affect the way that a large number of Americans receive and pay for their personal medical care.
“As a candidate, I promised to join a lawsuit challenging Obamacare," Lt. Gov. Mark A. Darr said in a statement. "Today, I make a new promise that, despite the fact we didn’t get the result we wanted from the Supreme Court, I will continue to stand with 70% of Arkansans and fight this over-reaching act."
As expected, a number of state Republicans spoke out against the law, some saying it simply does not work for the state.
"The Supreme Court’s ruling today does nothing to change the fact that President Obama’s healthcare mandate is not working for Arkansas," said U.S. Rep Rick Crawford, R-1st District. "For my part, I will continue pushing for a full legislative repeal of the President’s health care mandate."
Others shared in Crawford's sentiment, citing the dissension statement from the Supreme Court.
“I agree with the dissent that ObamaCare is ‘invalid in its entirety,’" U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, R-2nd District, said in a release. "In 2009, President Obama said the penalty for not obtaining health insurance is not a tax, but his lawyers argued just the opposite before the Supreme Court. Today’s decision is a monumental error and paves the way for one of the largest tax increases in history. While the Court may have found a narrow majority to uphold ObamaCare, the vast majority of hardworking Americans remain opposed to this unprecedented and expensive law that fails to lower costs and increase access to quality health care.”
Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, a Republican, called the act "oppressive and unaffordable legislation" and urged supporters to vote in politicians who will fight to repeal it.
"We cannot allow activist judges to impose mandates that are detrimental to our children's future," he said in a video statement.