Elected Officials React to Supreme Court’s King v. Burwell Ruling

The Supreme Court upheld health care tax credits for tens of thousands of Montanans today. The justices said in a 6-3 ruling that the subsidies that 8.7 million people currently receive to make insurance affordable do not depend on where they live, under the 2010 health care law.

Chief Justice Roberts wrote the majority opinion in the 6-to-3 decision. The court’s three most conservative members: Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito dissented.

Montana's elected officials released the following statements.

Governor Steve Bullock's statement:

“This is a welcome decision as I do everything I can to ensure all Montanans have access to affordable health care.  Forty thousand Montanans can now be sure they will not lose their health insurance or have their taxes increased in order to maintain coverage.”

Senator Jon Tester's statement:

“Access to affordable health insurance is critical to the health of our families and communities.  Today’s decision allows over 40,000 Montanans to keep the insurance they have purchased.  The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, but dismantling it without a plan to fix it is reckless, and today the Supreme Court recognized that.”

Senator Steve Daines' statement:

“Obamacare is a poorly written law that is failing the American people. I’ll continue working to repeal this failed law and replace it with Montana-driven solutions that increase access to affordable care for all Montanans and put patients first.”

Representative Ryan Zinke's statement:

“American families deserve a health care system that works; and that means it has to be affordable and accessible, while still preserving a high quality of care and innovation. Earlier this month, we learned that the major health insurance companies in Montana are raising rates on some of their ObamaCare plans. Taking care of our neighbors and staying healthy should not be a partisan issue. We all agree there will need to be some level of help for folks who face difficult situations, but ObamaCare simply does not work for the vast majority. For too long Senator Harry Reid has threatened to block any bipartisan health care reform, and President Obama has maintained he will veto any law to repeal or even roll back the most flawed parts of ObamaCare.  I urge them to come to the table. Let’s work together on health care solutions that truly lower costs, expand coverage, and protect the doctor-patient relationship. It’s what Montana families deserve.”