VALDOSTA —
VALDOSTA — The Supreme Court’s decision on health care Thursday was on the lips of everyone from state officials, area political leaders, medical officials and people on the street.
Randy Sauls, CEO, South Georgia Medical Center: “South Georgia Medical Center will follow the mandates at the federal government’s direction. Implementation for the reforms may be a protracted process. Our response will depend on how the individual mandates are introduced, what will make up those insurance products, will they be like Medicaid or Medicare, etc. We just don’t know at this point.
“There is still the possibility for some people to remain uninsured or underinsured, and SGMC as a non-profit entity will continue to treat all patients, regardless of their ability to pay. In the coming weeks, hopefully more specific information will be released and we can begin making plans at that time.”
Gov. Nathan Deal: “My battle with Obamacare didn’t start when I was elected as governor of Georgia. I wear with pride my bruises and scars from the fight against its passage in the U.S. House. Today, the highest court in the country let the American people down. While we recognize this is a huge setback for fiscal sanity and personal liberty, we are not giving up. Georgians and the American people deserve high-quality, sustainable health care. Congress must now work steadfastly on repealing this law and replacing it with reforms that help taxpayers instead of hurt them.”
Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens: “I disagree with this decision. Congress explicitly said this was not a tax. I call on Congress to act swiftly, repeal the law and replace it with real reform that respects the Constitution as written.” Olens has led the state’s legal fight opposing President Barack Obama’s health-care reform law. After being sworn into office, Olens joined a multi-state lawsuit against the law.
Dennis W. Marks, former chairman of the Lowndes County Democratic Committee and current vice chair (elections): “I’m delighted that the United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is constitutional. We all have an obligation as human beings to help one another, in sickness and in health. It’s better for each of us to pay a little bit when we are healthy rather than pay a lot when we are sick. This ruling will clear the way to providing health insurance for all Americans.”
Diane Cox, who with her husband, Nolen Cox, co-founded the Valdosta Tea Party: “Our goal is full repeal of the bad law. We disagree with today’s majority ruling to uphold the ‘tax.’ It is the duty of the people to elect only those men and women who will uphold the original intent of the Constitution and bind them to their oath. Today, our resolve has only been strengthened to restore the republic for future generations.”
Laverne Lewis Gaskins of Valdosta, secretary, Democratic Party of Georgia: “This is a great victory for all Americans. The Supreme Court has ushered in a new era that millions of Americans will now have access to affordable health care.”
Chantina Hallback of Valdosta, housewife: “I’m in favor of the Supreme Court’s ruling. If we all had health care, the way it’s supposed to be, then there’d be a lot less sick people now.”
Tracy Corbi of Valdosta, assistant gym manager: “Each individual should have the right to make that decision themselves. There are a lot of people who don’t have health problems or don’t need to see a doctor all of the time. So if you do need to go regularly, you can pay for it when you need it. I feel that people can make themselves better by taking care of themselves, eating better and exercising.”
Yancey Hiett of Valdosta, welder: “I definitely believe in health care for everybody. I think every person in the United States should have health insurance until the day they die.”
Kay Harris, Quinten Plummer and Dean Poling compiled these comments.
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The Times polls reactions to health decision
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