http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Tucker/AR%2006-29-2012%20SCOTUS.mp3
The Supreme Court’s validation of the health care law did nothing to end the bitter debate in Congress over the Affordable Care Act. In fact, the decision may have hardened positions.
As soon as the Supreme Court validated the Affordable Care Act , Republicans in Congress renewed their efforts to strike it down. Meanwhile Democrats, including those in Connecticut’s congressional delegation, said it’s time to move on. “My hope is that is we are not going to re-litigate or refight the old battles, that we can move together on a bipartisan manner to improve the law,” said Senator Richard Blumenthal.
But House Speaker John Boehner, a Republican from Ohio, said repeal of the law would be the first order of business when the House returned from its Fourth of July break. That doesn’t faze Democratic Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney. “Well, at the end of the day, they’ve got to present an alternative, and that’s been completely missing,” said Courtney.
While Democrats want to put the issue to bed, that’s not going to happen. Republicans including presidential candidate Mitt Romney, will run against the Affordable Care Act this summer, hoping that brings them money and votes. Romney’s campaign raised more than $2 million after the ruling.
Democrats like Connecticut Congressman John Larson are also politicking, promoting the popular insurance reforms in the act. “This is a great day for people with pre-existing conditions and especially for women all over the country," said Larson. "Finally the Supreme Court validated the parity that needs to exist."
Politics aside, the Supreme Court ruling means Connecticut and its insurance industry can move forward on a health care overhaul.