By Congresswoman Kay Granger
Ruling puts responsibility back on Congress
Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON DC Two weeks ago I sent out an e-survey asking how you wanted the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of the health care law. Over 5000 of you responded. Twenty-three percent wanted to see the law ruled constitutional 61 of you wanted to see the entire law ruled unconstitutional and 14of you wanted only part of the law overturned.
The Supreme Court has now delivered their decision and found that a key part of the law the individual mandate is constitutional.
The individual mandate requires Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty. The Court decided that this penalty is a tax and is constitutional because Congress has the authority to levy a tax on citizens.
This law is not just a tax. It is one of the largest taxes in American history.
Its important to remember that the Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of particular provisions and not on the merit of the policy.
In 2003 Justice Anthony Kennedy said It is a grave mistake to retain a policy just because a court finds it constitutional". I couldnt agree more.
This ruling puts the responsibility back on Congress and it is our duty to repeal this law.
Once we repeal this law Congress will take the time to get this policy right. We will replace it with patient-centered reforms.
According to the results of the e-survey the majority of you support the ability to:
- Purchase insurance plans across state lines
- Guaranteeing insurance coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and
- Expanding the use of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
These are some of the reforms that I will support when Congress replaces the health care law with legislation that addresses the health care issues Americans are most concerned about affordability and access.
The Supreme Courts ruling is just a just a chapter in this process. Our repeal efforts will continue and I will fight for what is good for Texas families.
