Local reactions to health care ruling span political spectrum

Local reactions to the U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding President Barack Obama’s health care law didn’t come as much of a surprise, at least not from a political perspective. Conservative organizations and elected officials expressed disappointment, if not outrage, while those on the other side of the aisle praised the ruling. But from a legal perspective, the decision did startle many who have been closely following the case. “I think the decision itself will come as a surprise to a number of people in a number of different sectors,” says Donna Fraiche, a health care attorney with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz. In part, that’s because the decision gives states discretion over whether or not they want to accept additional federal money to expand their Medicaid programs as outlined in the law. What that will mean for Louisiana remains to be seen. “The ultimate question is going to be whether Louisiana chooses to expand its Medicaid program up to 133%—allowing people with higher income levels to participate—and accept federal funds to do that,” Fraiche says. In his written response to the ruling today, Gov. Bobby Jindal does not address that issue, saying only that “Americans must drive hard toward repeal.” For a list of reactions to the ruling, click here.