Va. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling (R) - "I am very disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the constitutionality of Obamacare. It was my belief that the President and Congress overstepped their constitutional authority in requiring American citizens to purchase a product like health insurance, and I am disappointed that the Supreme Court reached a different conclusion. However, the court's decision does not change the fact that Obamacare is bad policy. Obamacare is too costly and we cannot afford it. In addition, Obamacare increases the cost of doing business and makes it harder for American businesses to hire workers. Finally, Obamacare limits American's health care choices and intrudes on the doctor-patient relationship.
"Now, it is up to the American people to stop Obamacare. We can do that in November by electing Mitt Romney President of the United States, electing George Allen to the United States Senate, and reelecting our Republican majority in the House of Representatives. President Romney and a Republican Congress will act to repeal Obamacare and replace it with more responsible, market based health care reforms."
W.Va. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D): "We know what the law is but as I've said before, I will continue to do what is best for West Virginia. We all know health care costs continue to rise and our health care system must be more efficient. We're going to review the Supreme Court's ruling, and work with our federal delegation on how we move forward."
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA): "I'm extremely disappointed by this decision. This law and the process in which it was drafted represent abject failures for our health care system and our country. It is no secret that our economy is chained down by this law. I was hoping that the Supreme Court would take the decisive first step to unshackle the country, but sadly they did not. Instead, nearly every person in the country will now face a new ‘tax' if they don't want to comply with this law.
"In line with the dissenting justices, I still think that this law is an unprecedented overreach of federal power. This overreach jeopardizes the stature of our health care system, places an extraordinary burden on our businesses and job creators, and leaves treatment in a state of limbo thanks to the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).
"Two years ago, our health care system was infinitely changed. The legislative process to bring forth that change was atrocious. The final bill was disastrous. And today's verdict is depressing. I will continue advocating for commonsense policies until America finally achieves real health care reform. Now the only path to stop Obamacare is at the ballot box. The rule of law and our Republic suffered a huge blow today, but our spirit is not crushed and we the people will ultimately overcome it."
Va. Governor Bob McDonnell (R): "Today's Supreme Court ruling is extremely disappointing for Virginia and for America. The PPACA will create a costly and cumbersome system that will impair our country's ability to recover from these challenging economic times, infringes on our citizen's liberties, will harm small businesses, and will impose dramatic unfunded mandates on Virginia and all states. Simply put, this is a blow to freedom. America needs market-based solutions that give patients more choice, not less.
"Virginia will evaluate the steps necessary to comply with the law. While we have awaited this decision, planners have been working to identify necessary resources and issues to be addressed to ensure Virginia implements this flawed law in the most effective and least costly and burdensome way possible. In coming months, Virginia's healthcare leaders will work to develop the best possible system to meet the healthcare needs of our citizens. It remains my hope that we will elect a new President and Senate so that the existing law will be repealed and states will be given the freedom they need to implement healthcare solutions that work best for their citizens. We will evaluate the opinion in detail in the days ahead and determine what policies are proper for the people of Virginia.
