POLL: Do You Agree With the Supreme Court's Decision to Uphold the Health Care Act?

The most controversial clause of the Affordable Care Act has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, the court announced Thursday.

The group of bills aimed at overhauling the American health care system was signed into law by President Barack Obama in March 2010. Since then, 26 states filed suit against the act, stating that provisions in it required most uninsured Americans to purchase health insurance were unconstitutional.

According to the Washington Post, the Supreme Court agreed that the mandate itself is unconstitutional, but that it is within the rights of Congress to tax individuals for not having health care. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the majority opinion.

The ruling also upheld a portion of the bill that asks states to expand their Medicaid coverage, but said that the federal government cannot withhold Medicaid funding for states that choose not to comply.

of today's U.S. Supreme Court health care ruling. 

Officials at released a statement this afternoon, saying the ruling will allow health care providers to move forward with "much needed services to the citizens of the country."

“At Botsford, we have been working hard already to comply with the Affordable Care Act and the changing health care environment that will ensue,” said David Walters, D.O., MPH, Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Botsford Hospital. “Although parts of this ruling will take weeks to interpret, upholding the ACA means many of our important initiatives can move forward, which will have a profoundly positive impact on the health care that we deliver to our patients and their families.” 

U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-9th Congressional), who represents Farmington and Farmington Hills, voted for the Affordable Care Act and this morning issued the following statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a huge victory for the millions of Americans that will be able to see a doctor and receive necessary preventative treatments because of the Affordable Care Act. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court reaffirmed what I have been saying for years, everybody in this country has the right to quality affordable health care. I was proud to work with President Obama to pass this important health care reform law and I will continue working with him to ensure that it is fully implemented.”

Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act? Vote in our poll and tell us why you agree or disagree in the comments.