Health Care Reform Ruling - KAUZ-TV: Newschannel 6 Now | Wichita Falls, TX

In one of the most polarizing decisions of the last decade, the United States Supreme Court voted to uphold 3 out of 4 provisions of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act.  

In a conference call, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said the issue was never with Healthcare or Health Insurance but with the rule of law. In that sense, Abbott considered part of Thursday's ruling a victory.  He said, "When you consider the application under the Commerce Clause and the Coercion Doctrine of expansion of federal government, you have to view this as a historic victory for individual liberty for states rights as well as for limited government."

Congressman Mac Thornberrry, (R-TX) had a different approach. He said, "Well I'm surprised first, because I did not expect this decision I'm even more surprised at the reasons for the decision."

In a surprise move, the Supreme Court upheld the Individual Mandate by saying Congress has the right to levy taxes. In this case, a tax against those who do not have health insurance.

The round-about way of upholding the act has Congressman Thornberry worried. "As long as there's a tax imposed, if you fail to comply than apparently it's constitutional. I'm afraid we're going to see a lot more ideas coming out from people who want to tell us what we can and cannot do."

Despite disagreeing on the implications of the trial, both elected officials vowed to fight the new tax.

Abbott said, "I will work with the state of Texas and members of Congress to repeal this unprecedented tax." Thornberry said, "Well I think you've got to have Romney in the White House but you also have to have people in the Senate and enough people in the House to pass a repeal." 

The repeal process is expected to begin sometime in July, but Congressman Thornberry said the true, and final decision might not be made until November's Presidential election.

Jack Lamson, Newschannel 6