Local politicos weigh in on health care mandate

WASHINGTON, D.C. - While the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted yesterday for the 31st time to repeal the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the bicameral chamber handily passed the measure 244-185.

And even if the bill were to be approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate, President Barack Obama said he would veto any decision to the decisive health care bill that, by all reports, would define his presidency.

This follows a split 5-4 decision from the U.S. Supreme Court, which narrowly affirmed the controversial act, also known as "Obamacare."

The Supreme Court decision was passed with, surprisingly, conservative Chief Justice John Roberts casting the tie-breaking vote, when traditionally Justice Anthony Kennedy is considered the court's swing vote.

And local politicians continue to weigh in on the Supreme Court's decision and the ongoing legislation.

Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Pasco, said he was disappointed in the decision.

"I have voted 30 times to repeal, defund and eliminate all and parts of this job destroying the government-knows-best approach to health care," he said. "Without full repeal of Obamacare, millions of Americans will continue to lose their current health coverage ... and the government will mandate which health care plans you can use, all while adding trillions to our ever-growing national debt."

Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., disagreed with the representative.

"This is a victory for the health care security and stability of Washington families. Today's ruling means that families and small business owners will continue to benefit from better access, more choices and a health care system that no longer works only for those who can afford it," she said.

Murray said that insurance companies would be forced to compete for business in a free-market economy.

"This decision offers a chance for those on all sides in this long and impassioned debate to begin the process of moving forward," she said. "There is no reason why we can't all work together to fix what's not working."

Washington state Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, said she was very concerned about the long-term implications of the decision.

"I was afraid this was going to happen," she said. "There is something that has to be done about health care, but this is not it."

State Sen. Janea Holmquist Newbry, R-Moses Lake, agreed.

"Just because the court ruled Obamacare as constitutional doesn't make it a good idea," she said. "It will cost trillions, interfere with the liberty of individual citizens and hurt our economy."

Hastings said he will continue to support a full repeal so the country can move forward with a different approach.

"One that protects the patient-doctor relationship from government intrusion and puts patients first," he said.