By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Following the Supreme Court’s landmark 5-4 ruling that the federal government does have the power to tax individual citizens because they don’t buy health insurance, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D) from Selma released a written statement.
Representative Sewell said, “I am delighted that the Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the landmark Affordable Care Act. This is a monumental victory for the American people and our country. Today’s ruling confirms what I have always believed that healthcare in America should be a right and not a privilege. I applaud President Obama’s leadership and steadfast commitment to improving the lives of our families, children and seniors.”
Rep. Sewell continued, “As a result of today’s decision, millions of Americans will continue to have access to healthcare benefits and protections, which are so critical to the welfare and economic stability of our nation. Because of the Affordable Care Act, Americans will no longer have to live in fear of being denied healthcare coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Millions of young people across our nation will be able to stay on their parent’s insurance plans, seniors will continue paying less for their prescription drugs, and women and children will have access to vital preventative care. 33 million uninsured Americans can expect to receive quality affordable healthcare insurance without having to make the difficult choice between providing for their families or getting necessary medical treatment.”
Rep. Sewell said, “By affirming the Affordable Care Act, the 7th Congressional District of Alabama will continue to benefit from healthcare reform. In our district, 36,000 children with pre-existing health conditions can no longer be denied coverage by their health insurers, 90,000 adults and 19,000 children will have health insurance that covers preventative care services and 6,800 young adults will continue to have access to health insurance through their parent’s coverage.”
“I remain committed to working with President Obama and my colleagues to ensure that all Americans continue to have access to quality affordable healthcare,” said Rep. Sewell.
Critics of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly called Obamacare) are critical of the controversial plan because they claim: it increases federal powers over business and the individual, raises taxes, will lead to higher insurance premiums, redistributes wealth, forces religious people and organizations to participate in plans and medical procedures that violate their conscience, over regulates the insurance and healthcare industries, and grows the budget deficit when the government is already overspending $1.3 trillion a year.
President Barack H. Obama has made the omnibus Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act the centerpiece legislation of his first term in office. The President claims that the Act will fundamentally transform America into a nation that is fairer. The President’s Republican opponent, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has promised to repeal Obamacare if he is elected President on November 6th. Polls have consistently shown that most Americans oppose President Obama’s healthcare policies.
Congresswoman Terri Sewell represents Alabama’s Seventh Congressional District.
