Thursday, June 28, 2012

Statement from Scott Peters on SCOTUS Decision: Americans Will Benefit

 

San Diego, CA - Earlier today, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision upholding the majority of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.  In response to the Court's decision, Scott Peters, candidate for Congress in California's 52nd District, released the following statement:

"I know we all watched with anticipation as the Supreme Court issued its decision earlier today.  In affirming the President's health care insurance reform initiative, the Court reminded us that the powerful health services industry does not control the administration of health care.  That control rests firmly in the hands of doctors and patients.  The President's health care reform initiative is not perfect, but it's a good start.  We still have a lot of work to do to ensure that care is affordable for all consumers and small businesses.  But under the Affordable Care Act, and over time, Americans will benefit from critical patient protections, increased access to the care they need, lower costs, and greater accountability for the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

"Now, it's time for Congress to stop focusing on politics, put partisanship aside, and work together to increase every American's access to quality and affordable health care.  If there are improvements we can make, let's make them.  If there are fixes we need, let's fix them.  Unfortunately, Brian Bilbray and the extremists in Washington have already indicated that they will spend the remainder of the current Congress' time focusing on repeal of the new law, without offering any real alternative, rather than looking for ways they can improve health care and revive our still struggling economy.

"Over the course of his 12 years in Congress, Brian Bilbray has accepted over $1,000,000 in campaign contributions from powerful interests in the health services industry, including pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies. Time and again, he has protected them, even as they block coverage for people who are sick and deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions like asthma, heart disease, or cancer.  That's not what our government ought to be about.

"The fact is, this legislation increases access to quality care, lowers the cost of prescription drugs, extends the solvency of Medicare, and puts the administration of health care in the hands of doctors and patients.  Contrast that with the priorities of my opponent.  Brian Bilbray has publically stated his support for privatizing Social Security, and just this past spring, Bilbray voted for the Ryan Budget, which would have effectively ended Medicare as we know it.

"Brian Bilbray's priorities are clear: he is on the side of drug companies and insurance companies and not the American middle class.  We need common sense leadership in Congress to work with doctors and patients to make quality health care affordable and available to all."

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