The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act drew swift and predictable party line reaction from the North State’s two congressmen.
Republican Doug LaMalfa lashed out at the court, accusing it of shirking its responsibility to enforce the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Democrat John Garamendi praised the ruling, calling it common sense and a relief.
Opponents challenged phrasing in the law, reasoning that it prohibited the federal government from operating health care exchanges. The law referred to “the state,” which opponents seized on as meaning only individual states. The state, however, can also refer to government in general.
LaMalfa, described himself as deeply disappointed with the ruling, charged that it was having “disastrous impacts” on patients, doctors and small business and vowed to continue to fight for the law’s repeal.
Garamendi, who represents parts of the Valley and Delta, warned that 10 million people could have lost access to medical treatment had the ruling gone differently. Garamendi said that after 60 attempts to repeal the legislation, opponents should instead focus on improving the nation’s health care system.