Reaction to Supreme Court’s ruling on Affordable Care Act
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says Michigan policymakers should wait until after the November presidential election before moving forward on some aspects of the federal health care overhaul.
Schuette responded Thursday at a news conference to the U.S. Supreme Court’s vote to uphold the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, which requires Americans to purchase health insurance or face a financial penalty.
He was among two dozen attorneys general who filed briefs opposing the law.
Schuette says the law’s individual mandate requirement “imposes huge costs on businesses across the country, which will choke and strangle the economy.”
With the Supreme Court’s ruling, Michigan will have to set up a website where individuals and small business owners can comparison shop for health insurance starting in 2014.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is urging lawmakers to work with him to set up an exchange where the uninsured can comparison shop online for private health insurance now that the U.S. Supreme Court has largely upheld the Affordable Care Act.
The Republican governor said in a Thursday statement that he didn’t agree with everything in the law, which he says doesn’t focus enough on promoting wellness and restraining health care costs.
But he says he wants to work quickly to set up the MiHealth Marketplace.
Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger was “mad and disappointed” with the ruling, but said in a statement he’ll work with the administration to set up a state-run health exchange.
The state may have to partner with the federal government to get it running by 2014.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce says the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court to largely uphold the federal health care overhaul is “a sad day.”
Chamber Senior Vice President Jim Holcomb said in a statement Thursday that he remains hopeful “the new Congress will work to repeal and replace the law with measures to control costs and improve quality.”
Among Michigan’s congressional members, Democrats such as Rep. Sander Levin of Royal Oak applauded the decision while Republicans such as Rep. Dave Camp of Midland objected to it.
Sixty-year-old retiree Mark Derrick of Livonia says he’s afraid the law might cause some companies to cut back on the health care coverage they offer employees. Others welcomed the decision.
The Michigan Health and Hospital Association says hospitals are reviewing the ruling.
Holiday Hours
The Third Circuit Court Civil, Criminal and Family Divisions will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day.
The Wayne County Probate Court will be closed in observance of Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4 and will reopen on Tuesday, July 5 at 8 a.m.
In observance of Independence Day, the 36th District Court will be closed to the public on Wednesday, July 4. Only criminal arraignments will be conducted.
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