State says it's ready for Obamacare

LINCOLN, Nebraska -- As congressional delegates and candidates respond to today's ruling upholding Obamacare, a state official says Nebraska must move quickly to create the state based health insurance market it requires.

Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist says Nebraska has time to create the so-called health benefit exchanges, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in its ruling Thursday. The federal government has imposed a Nov. 16 deadline for state proposals on how they plan to run the exchanges.

But Nordquist says lawmakers and Gov. Dave Heineman will have to hash out key details of the law, including a Medicaid expansion that could cover thousands of additional Nebraskans.

Nordquist, a Democrat, says the ruling leaves that decision up to the states.

Heineman didn't immediately comment on the ruling.

State Sen. Deb Fischer, who is running against former senator and governor Bob Kerrey for Sen. Ben Nelson's seat, said she still supports full repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

"Today's Supreme Court ruling means the responsibility of repealing ObamaCare has been placed solely on the shoulders of Congress.

"ObamaCare is an attempted government takeover of our healthcare system that is burdening American families and small businesses with crushing taxes and regulations.

"There is a clear contrast in the Nebraska U.S. Senate race.

"I support the full repeal of ObamaCare," she said, vowing to work across party lines to accomplish that goal.

"In the Senate, I will work across party lines to implement free market reforms that will lower health care costs and improve accessibility for the uninsured.

Kerrey also promised bipartisanship, but took a different tack:

"Now that the court spectacle is over its time for Republicans and Democrats to put partisan politics aside and get down to business to find true cost containment solutions before we bankrupt the country," he said in a prepared statement.

"I for one am confident I can work with Republicans to find common sense solutions that begin with establishing State based exchanges and supporting exciting initiatives by providers to lower costs and improve quality."

U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith said "Although I am disappointed in the Supreme Court's decision today, I thank the Court for its consideration.

"Our health care system is broken and only will improve when Congress passes patient-centered reforms to increase access to care by lowering costs. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I look forward to continuing our efforts to find real health care solutions to benefit all Americans without tax increases and onerous government mandates."

U.S. Rep. Lee Terry said he was disappointed with the ruling: "I am extremely disappointed with the ruling today by the Supreme Court. Although I do not agree with their decision, it is now the law of the land. The Affordable Care Act pushes patients further away from cost-savings and determining their own care, and closer to a government controlled system. I will read both the majority and minority opinions to get a better understanding of the court's reasoning.

"There is no mistaking that even with this law in place, health care costs are rising dramatically, and a majority of the programs and mandates contained in the law have not even been put into place! Many families will see the cost of their premiums and deductibles surge over 50 percent of their current costs within the next 5 years. During this same time period, Congress will then be required to address these increases as they hit the marketplace and begin to affect every American's pocketbook.

"Instead of waiting for these expected cost increases to take effect, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work towards fixing these problems. I will be prepared to bring to the discussion the ideas of my constituents -- the moms and dads of Omaha, the single worker, health care providers, small business owners, everyone who has a stake in health care. I will talk to them and gather their ideas to present to my colleagues. They were left out the last time but I can guarantee that I will not leave them out this time! They deserve to be heard. We need to give the power back to the patient and allow them to make their own health care decisions with their physician. We need to lower the cost of health care."

Nordquist called the ruling a big win for Nebraska:

"I am extremely disappointed with the ruling today by the Supreme Court. Although I do not agree with their decision, it is now the law of the land. The Affordable Care Act pushes patients further away from cost-savings and determining their own care, and closer to a government controlled system. I will read both the majority and minority opinions to get a better understanding of the court's reasoning.

"There is no mistaking that even with this law in place, health care costs are rising dramatically, and a majority of the programs and mandates contained in the law have not even been put into place! Many families will see the cost of their premiums and deductibles surge over 50% of their current costs within the next 5 years. During this same time period, Congress will then be required to address these increases as they hit the marketplace and begin to affect every American's pocketbook.

"Instead of waiting for these expected cost increases to take effect, I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to work towards fixing these problems. I will be prepared to bring to the discussion the ideas of my constituents -- the moms and dads of Omaha, the single worker, health care providers, small business owners, everyone who has a stake in health care. I will talk to them and gather their ideas to present to my colleagues. They were left out the last time but I can guarantee that I will not leave them out this time! They deserve to be heard. We need to give the power back to the patient and allow them to make their own health care decisions with their physician. We need to lower the cost of health care."