E-Newsletter

Obama Care Health Insurance Mandate Ruled Unconstitutional

Recently, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the individual health insurance mandate at the center of Obama Care is unconstitutional. The individual mandate requires that most Americans purchase health insurance by 2014 or face penalties. The U.S. Constitution does not give the federal government the power to force the American people to buy health insurance. I have said from the beginning and firmly believe that requiring individuals to purchase health insurance is a direct violation of our nation’s constitutional principles. 

The ruling by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals is another example that Obama Care does not pass “constitutional muster.” In January, a federal judge ruled the entire Obama Care law was unconstitutional. These lawsuits will likely go to the Supreme Court where the ultimate fate of Obama Care will be decided.

The state of Kansas recently returned funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to implement the Obama Care law. Oklahoma has also taken similar steps to block the implementation of the law.  These actions, coupled with the continued negative response from the public, make it clear to me that the American people don’t like Obama Care.

When it comes to health care, we need choices that will lower costs and improve access – not unconstitutional mandates.  Health care reforms must be patient-centered. One thing we should take a close look at is allowing families and individuals to purchase insurance policies across state lines. In the 9th District we border four other states. If there is a policy in North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, or West Virginia that makes more sense for your family, you should be allowed to purchase that plan. Another potential solution is allowing local businesses and associations to pool resources to purchase insurance plans and improve access to care.

One of the first votes I took in January was to repeal Obama Care.  The burdensome 1099 paperwork mandate in the law, which would have placed a significant burden on small businesses, has already been repealed. This was the beginning of the repeal of Obama Care provisions. I will continue working to ensure that the entire law is repealed.

School Is In Session

Over the past few weeks many schools and universities across Southwest Virginia have returned from summer vacation. As my daughter heads back to school and my son prepares to start Kindergarten, I can remember the excitement and anticipation of a new school year. As a child, my anticipation of the coming year was especially heightened when the teachers went back to school for the teacher work days leading up the new school year.  My mother taught for more than 30 years and oftentimes I would go with her to help “set up” her classroom.  My well wishes for a successful and safe school year are with all the students and teachers heading back to the classroom.

As always, if you have concerns or comments or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.