Metro-east congressmen have opposite reactions to high court's ruling

Metro-east congressmen have opposite reactions to high court's ruling

By Mike Fitzgerald - Belleville News-Democrat; June 28, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court decision handed down Thursday morning that upholds the Affordable Care Act triggered sharply divided opinions across the metro-east and Illinois.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, praised the court decision, calliing it "a very significant ruling for the American people. As I have said before, the Affordable Care Act is not a perfect law, but it is an important step forward in making sure all Americans have access to health insurance and improving our health care system."

In contrast, U.S. Rep. John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, said he was "disappointed" by the high court ruling, but predicted it will rally voters for Republican candidates campaigning for the repeal of the law and the new tax on Americans it imposes.

"Elections have consequences," said Shimkus, who voted against the original law in 2010 and in favor of efforts to repeal it since.

Shimkus noted the upcoming November election.

"If you want to repeal the law, there's a Senate up for grabs, the House will be maintained and a president to be removed," Shimkus said.

Lynda DeLaforgue, the co-director of Citizen Action/Illinois, in Chicago, a liberal consumer interest group, hailed the upholding of the Affordable Care Act as a boon to consumers -- especially those who could not get health insurance because of preexisting medical conditions.

"Illinois has to do a couple of things to really make this work," said DeLaforgue. "Now we have to turn our focus on implementation at the state level. What that means for Illinois is that we have to establish a very aggressive and strong health exchange that people can participate in."

Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk says he respects the court's decision, but thinks Congress "should repeal the health care law." Kirk says the law needs to be replaced with "common sense, centrist reforms."

Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin supports the law. He says the decision means America "can move forward" to address health care costs and expand health insurance coverage.

Durbin also says he thinks that the 5-4 decision means the court appears to be working to re-establish "political neutrality."