A Tax on Personal Liberties

Today, the United States Supreme Court announced its ruling on the constitutionality of President Obama’s signature piece of legislation, otherwise known as Obamacare. The law was upheld and deemed constitutional, including the controversial individual mandate. The individual mandate, which requires every American to purchase health insurance, was ruled by the Supreme Court to be a tax.

This is exactly what the American people have said they do not want – Washington bureaucrats between them and their doctors.  Under Obamacare, a panel of unelected bureaucrats now has the unprecedented authority to make decisions on seniors’ healthcare.  Additionally, Obamacare cut over $500 billion from the Medicare program, not to mention up to 20 million Americans could lose their employer-based coverage.  It will force American citizens to endure diminished quality of care, increased insurance costs, and excessive taxation brought on by inefficient Washington bureaucracy. This is essentially a tax on human freedoms.

The President repeatedly told the American people he would not raise taxes on middle class families, only on those families making $250,000.00 or more a year.  Today, the American people received confirmation from the Supreme Court of what we have always known— this is a massive tax increase.  Not only is this the largest tax increase in American history, but it expands the scope of federal power to every area of our lives.  This simply must not stand.  I will continue to work to repeal, defund, and replace the Obamacare with real reforms that increase access and affordability.

Obamacare not only increases healthcare costs for small businesses and families, but it also pushes the country further into debt. According to the latest projection by the Congressional Budget Office, President Obama's national health care law will cost $1.76 trillion over a decade, rather than the $940 billion forecast when it was signed into law.

I’ve said before, our healthcare decisions should not be left up to the government. If Washington can tell Americans what healthcare coverage to purchase, what will they decide for us next? Simply put, this law is a massive tax increase and an attack on our personal freedoms, which cuts at the core foundation of our country. The only way to ensure the future of Americans' healthcare is to completely dismantle and repeal Obamacare.

Families should be able to make their own choices, visit the doctor of their choosing, and receive the health care they and their doctor feel is best.  When it comes to your healthcare, it should be about you!