Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Obama: The Health Law 'Is Here To Stay'
The New York Times: Obama Gains Vindication And Secures Legacy With Health Care Ruling
“In America health care is not a privilege for a few but a right for all,’’ Mr. Obama declared in the Rose Garden after the Supreme Court decision. The Affordable Care Act, he said, “is here to stay.’’ The ruling comes as Mr. Obama is about to score another major legislative accomplishment this week, with the passage of powerful new authority that will allow him to finish negotiations on a historic trade agreement with Pacific Rim nations. That bill, which he pushed over the objections of many in his party, will be on his desk for his signature this week. (Shear, 6/25)
ABC News: Supreme Court Upholds Obamacare Subsidies, President Says ACA 'Is Here To Stay'
Flanked by Vice President Joe Biden, Obama added that had the Supreme Court struck down the use of subsidies on the federal exchange, “America would have gone backwards. That’s not what we do." ... The chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisconsin, called the ruling “incredibly disappointing.” “Obamacare has never been accepted by the American people,” Johnson said. “The harm that the law inflicts shows that the people were right. Congress must move America past this unaffordable, destructive law.” (Taylor, Saenz and Levine, 6/25)
USA Today: Democrats On Capitol Hill Celebrate Obamacare Subsidies Ruling
Democrats erupted in celebration across Capitol Hill Thursday after the Supreme Court upheld the insurance subsidies created under President Obama's Affordable Care Act. "We're so jubilant about this," Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters. "American workers and middle class families will continue to enjoy the benefits of quality, affordable healthcare." "American won today," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in remarks on the floor shortly after the ruling was announced. "The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, no law ever is, but this law is working for millions and millions of Americans." (Davis, 6/25)
The Washington Post: Affordable Care Act Survives Supreme Court Challenge
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the administration should not “crow” about its latest legal victory. “Today’s ruling won’t change Obamacare’s multitude of broken promises, including the one that resulted in millions of Americans losing the coverage they had and wanted to keep,” he said in a statement. (Barnes, 6/25)
Huffington Post: 2016 GOP Presidential Hopefuls: Now It's Up To Us To Repeal Obamacare
Republican presidential hopefuls on Thursday denounced a Supreme Court decision that upheld subsidies provided by the Affordable Care Act. The decision neutralizes what was likely the last serious effort to cripple the law through the courts and represents a major victory for President Barack Obama. (Bopic, 6/25)
Politico: 2016 Contenders React To Obamacare Ruling
Here’s how the 2016 presidential contenders reacted on Twitter to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a major component of the Obamacare health law. (Lerner, 6/25)
