CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien (R-Mont Vernon) and House Majority Leader Pete Silva (R-Nashua) today offered the following comments regarding the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the federal Affordable Care Act, commonly called ObamaCare.
House Speaker William O’Brien
“Obviously, many New Hampshire residents, including me, are very disappointed that the Supreme Court did not protect the freedoms of American citizens by striking down the individual mandate, forcing people to buy government-approved health insurance, to pay a tax, or to face jail time. This undercuts a fundamental principle of our liberty and makes us a less free country than we were before. However, I have great confidence that if our institutions will not protect our freedom, then the people will rise up and do it ourselves. We saw that begin in the elections of 2010, and I fully anticipate that we will see this continued this November. Where you stand on ObamaCare will now be a top issue that every candidate for federal and state office will need to answer, and the House will move forward in our efforts to stop this misguided law that robs our independence and will make health care less affordable and less accessible.”
“We will also need to carefully review the impact of this ruling on our Medicaid program, and determine how we will move forward in a way that will not demand any greater burden is put on state taxpayers.”
House Majority Leader Pete Silva
“Today’s ruling means that Republicans, conservatives, and anybody who wants their freedom protected will become active in this year’s elections. We have a clear contrast in views about whether we want a one-size-fits-all, government run health care system that hurts Medicare, limits patients’ choices and requires constant direction from Washington bureaucrats or if we want states like New Hampshire to set health care policy. Now is the time for people who care about our future, our seniors and our liberty to get involved and elect candidates who will end this disastrous law and bring balanced, patient-focused health care to the citizens of New Hampshire.”