US Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless:
"I agree with today's ruling. Although I voted against the 2010 health care reform bill, I never believed, nor did I ever argue, that it would be found unconstitutional. I voted against the bill because my constituents were overwhelmingly against it, and because I believed that bill was flawed policy. Now, two years later, I still believe that the law does not adequately strike the balance between expanding coverage, improving quality, and lowering costs. Now that the Court has ruled, it is my hope that we can once and for all put the acrimonious political debate behind us and do what we should have been doing all along -- working together in a bipartisan fashion to improve upon the law and bring down health care cost for American families, businesses, and the government."
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus:
"Today's Supreme Court decision sets the stakes for the November election. Now, the only way to save the country from ObamaCare's budget-busting government takeover of health care is to elect a new president," said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus.
"Under President Obama's signature legislation, health care costs continue to skyrocket, and up to 20 million Americans could lose their employer-based coverage. A panel of unelected bureaucrats now has the unprecedented authority to come between elderly patients and their doctors. Meanwhile, the rules and regulations placed on job creators and small businesses make it nearly impossible to hire new workers at a time when Americans desperately need jobs.
"We need market-based solutions that give patients more choice, not less. The answer to rising health care costs is not, and will never be, Big Government.
"We must elect a president who understands the economy, respects free enterprise, and can provide the leadership we now so desperately need. On Election Day, we must elect Mitt Romney and put America on the path toward a brighter economic future and successful health care reform."
US Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair:
“Now that the Supreme Court has ruled on the constitutionality of President Obama's new healthcare tax, Congress must get to work on fully repealing this bill and undoing the new tax before it goes into full effect. The bill that was rushed through Congress and signed into law was unpopular, unworkable and unsustainable. It was not designed to deliver the kind of healthcare reforms Americans want and need. Simply put, a healthcare tax is not healthcare reform.
“Beyond repeal of the new healthcare tax, Congress must deliberate on what is truly needed — and is constitutionally sound — to fix our healthcare system rather than just raising taxes to finance it. The American people are demanding a system that delivers the care you need, at a price a price you can afford, from a doctor you choose — without new taxes or a government takeover.”
PA-12 Republican congressional candidate Keith Rothfus:
"I am thoroughly disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision to uphold this unconstitutional and unprecedented power grab by the Obama Administration, a power grab that Congressman Mark Critz has supported 20 times with votes to protect the bill. While the Supreme Court's decision that the mandate penalty is a tax is disappointing, it is especially disappointing that Congressman Critz supported this massive tax increase on the American people.
In addition to degrading the Constitution, President Obama's health care policy raids $500 billion from Medicare to pay for a new entitlement while subjecting seniors' access to care to an unelected board of bureaucrats – a provision Congressman Critz explicitly voted to keep in place and one that puts our seniors' health care at risk. Congressman Critz had chance after chance to stand with the citizens of PA-12, but has instead failed us and failed our seniors in standing with President Obama.
Despite today's ruling, our fight is not yet over. We will do everything in our power to ensure that Congress overturns ObamaCare in its entirety, replacing it with common-sense reforms that help the economy, create jobs, and make worthwhile improvements to our health care system. Fortunately the hardworking men and women of PA-12 will have an option this November to elect someone who will fight against this unprecedented power grab, will fight to save Medicare, will fight to take control of our debt, and will fight to bring jobs back to Southwestern PA ."
Former presidential candidate and US Sen Rick Santorum:
"Today's outcome is the worst of all scenarios. Not only are our rights being taken away and Americans are being forced to do something we don't want to do, but now we are being burdened with the biggest permanent tax increase in our nation's history. This is a sad day.
"I believe so strongly that if we do not defeat President Obama this November and elect more conservatives in the House and Senate, our country's future prosperity is at risk. We saw the absolute disregard President Obama showed for the Supreme Court's ruling on the Arizona immigration law, that I have no doubt that he sees today's ruling in his favor as a mandate that he can now do whatever he chooses by any means possible.
"President Obama believes he is above the law, entitled to abusing his power to get what he wants, and willing to violate the constitution and the oath he was sworn to uphold. He has proven to be a very dangerous person to have this kind of power, and if he is not stopped this November, I am fearful that the make-up of this country as established by our founders will never be the same."
US Rep. Mark Critz, D-Johnstown (PA-12):
"I disagree with the Supreme Court's decision on the individual mandate, which is why I voted to repeal it – and it is still my opinion that Congress should act swiftly to repeal the tax on medical devices, and the Independent Payment Advisory Board – an unelected board of bureaucrats who could cut benefits for seniors on Medicare.
"I opposed the healthcare bill when it passed, but it would be wrong and irresponsible for Congress to go backwards and allow insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions, to kick young adults off their parents' health insurance plans, or to re-open the 'doughnut hole' which will force seniors to pay more for medicine.
"The Supreme Court has given us guidance, and it is our responsibility to work together in a bipartisan fashion going forward."
Pennsylvania GOP chair Robert Gleason:
"While we are extremely disappointed in today's ruling, the Supreme Court decision sets the stakes for the November election. The only way to save the country from ObamaCare's budget-busting government takeover of health care is to elect a new President," Chairman Gleason said.
"Under ObamaCare, President Obama's signature legislation, health care costs continue to skyrocket, and up to 20 million Americans could lose their employer-based coverage. Meanwhile, a panel of unelected bureaucrats now has the unprecedented authority to come between elderly patients and their doctors. ObamaCare is simply wrong for America and wrong for Pennsylvania. We need market-based solutions that give patients more choice, not less. The answer to rising health care costs is not, and will never be, Big Government.
"I applaud Governor Tom Corbett for his tireless efforts to fight against the federal government's massive takeover of our healthcare system in Pennsylvania. The fight now turns to the White House. We must elect a president who understands the economy, respects free enterprise, and can provide the leadership we now so desperately need. On Election Day, we must elect Mitt Romney and put America on the path toward a brighter economic future and successful health care reform."
Republican US Senate candidate Tom Smith, R-Armstrong:
"Today's unfortunate decision strengthens our resolve to defeat Senator Casey and President Obama in order to repeal and replace a disastrous law that has ballooned the debt, increased the cost of insurance and eroded freedoms," said Smith. "Healthcare decisions should be made by doctors, patients and their families, not by government bureaucrats. In the Senate, I will fight to see ObamaCare repealed and replaced with commonsense free market reforms that reduce cost, increase access, and promote the quality and innovation that has made our healthcare system the envy of the world."
"Sadly, as Pennsylvania families have suffered from stagnant unemployment and future generations have continued to be buried under record debt, Senator Casey and Barack Obama have prioritized defending a failed government takeover of healthcare. Americans deserve elected leaders who place the needs of their constituents over their own political agendas," Smith added.
US Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler:
"Today, the United States Supreme Court spoke. On November 6, the American people will have their chance to speak.
"President Obama's tax and spend policies are driving our nation into historically high debt, historically high unemployment, and now an historic government takeover of one-sixth of the U.S. economy. Despite the president's repeated assurances to the American people that his signature health care law would not be a tax, it survived a U.S. Supreme Court challenge because it was interpreted as such. The American people were woefully misled by this president, and I share the outrage of the majority of Americans who want this law repealed.
"When I came into office, one of my first votes was to repeal the president's health care law because I believe Americans should have the freedom to make their own health care decisions. The president's health care law takes away that freedom, forcing millions of Americans onto government-provided, European-style health care.
"The health care law raids $500 billion from Medicare, institutes a rationing panel that will deny seniors critical health care coverage, destroys millions of jobs, and threatens to take away our constitutionally-protected religious freedoms.
"As disappointed as I am in today's ruling, I am confident that the American people, who want this law repealed, will continue to voice their opposition.
"When President Obama ran for office in 2008, he said he would work to "fundamentally transform" the United States of America. Today's decision puts him well on his way to doing so, unless he's stopped this November."
US Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa:
“I am extremely disappointed. Today’s decision is a jarring blow to our 200-year-old tradition of constitutionally limited government and personal liberty,” Sen. Toomey said.
“The Supreme Court’s decision doesn’t change the fact that President Obama’s health care law is a terrible policy that will impose new taxes, increase the cost of health care and cost our country jobs. It is now up to Congress to repeal Obamacare and enact common-sense reforms that will expand access to affordable, quality health care.”
