Politicians, health companies weigh in on Obamacare ruling

Many state and national politicians and other figures weighed in Thursday with their opinions on the U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling that an arrangement for the federal government to pay subsidies toward insurance purchased on the federal online marketplace is legal. Here are some of their reactions:

President Barack Obama: "If the partisan challenge to this law had succeeded, millions of Americans would have had thousands of dollars' worth of tax credits taken from them. For many, insurance would have become unaffordable again. Many would have become uninsured again. Ultimately, everyone's premiums could have gone up. America would have gone backwards."

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa: "I respect the court and its role in our system of government, but Obamacare remains a terrible law. It's led to too many people losing the coverage they had and spending more for what coverage they can get. ... Obamacare upended the whole health system instead of targeting what was wrong and fixing those problems. Now, the debate returns to the Congress and next year's presidential election. I'm committed to replacing Obamacare with health care reforms that empower consumers, drive down costs and use marketplace incentives to make health care coverage accessible and affordable."

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa: "Today's Supreme Court ruling does not change the fundamental reality that Obamacare is a poorly conceived and reckless law. As Obamacare again finds itself under scrutiny of our highest court, it's further affirmation that we need a workable solution for the millions of Americans who continue to face uncertainty over their health care due to this disastrous law. I remain committed to working towards a sustainable health care system that puts the focus back on Iowa families and individuals, which is why I support repealing and replacing Obamacare with affordable, patient-centered alternatives."

U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa: "Today's Supreme Court decision is a big relief for the thousands of Iowa families who would have faced large, unforeseen, out-of-pocket increases in their health care costs. ... Congress clearly meant for these tax breaks to be available to anyone who qualified, no matter where they lived. It is time we move forward and work to strengthen this law, not continue to try and dismantle it."

Former Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, a Democratic candidate for president: "I applaud the Supreme Court's decision to affirm what the authors of the Affordable Care Act clearly intended and wrote into law: that health insurance should be affordable and available in every state across the country. ... Now that the Supreme Court has once again re-affirmed the ACA as the law of the land, it's time for the Republican attacks to end. It's time to move on."

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican candidate for president: "Crocodile tears are flooding our nation's capital today over the Supreme Court's decision to illegally rewrite Obamacare, which has been a disaster since its inception. But one day of faux outrage from the Washington Cartel won't fool the millions of courageous conservatives across our country. They know the Republican leadership in Washington is quietly celebrating the Court's decision. If they believe this issue is now settled so they don't have to address it, they are sorely mistaken."

Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, a Republican candidate for president: "Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is yet another reminder that if we are to rid our nation of Obamacare once and for all, we need to elect a conservative President prepared to lead on Day 1."

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican candidate for president: "Today's decision only reinforces why we need a president who will bring about real reform that repeals Obamacare and replaces it with a plan that expands consumer choice, increases coverage, delivers better value for the dollar, and gives states more control, without stifling job creation."

U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican candidate for president: "This decision turns both the rule of law and common sense on its head. Obamacare raises taxes, harms patients and doctors, and is the wrong fix for America's health care system."

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican candidate for president: "Today's King v. Burwell decision, which protects and expands ObamaCare, is an out-of-control act of judicial tyranny. Our Founding Fathers didn't create a 'do-over' provision in our Constitution that allows unelected, Supreme Court justices the power to circumvent Congress and rewrite bad laws."

Iowa Republican Party Chairman Jeff Kaufmann: "Obamacare was conceived through a coordinated campaign to deceive the public, leaving Americans with canceled policies, increased costs, and fewer freedoms. We will continue fighting to repeal and replace Obamacare, and we'll start by electing a Republican to the White House in 2016."

Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Andy McGuire: "Once again, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the tens of thousands of Iowans receiving health care because of the Affordable Care Act. Never again shall we return to the days when you could be denied health coverage because of a pre-existing condition, or be charged more for health insurance merely because of your gender."

Coventry Health Care, which sells policies to Iowans on healthcare.gov: "Subsidies played a significant role in attracting the 6.4 million consumers who depended on subsidies to buy health care plans on the federally run health exchanges. This decision ensures that their health care benefits will not be disrupted. We believe that reform of the Affordable Care Act is still needed. We urge Congress to focus on solutions that improve quality, transition our payment system to value-based care and broaden consumer choice."

UnityPoint Health, which runs hospitals and clinics in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin: "Today's ruling assures Midwestern families of moderate means that they will not be forced to choose between paying for essentials, such as food and rent, or health insurance."