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Obama: A 'victory' for people all over this country

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    President's reaction to heath care decision

  • Duration 7:18
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This transcript is automatically generated

And for that.

Good afternoon.

Earlier today the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality.

Of the Affordable Care Act.

The name of the Health Care Reform we -- two years ago.

In doing so they've reaffirmed a fundamental principle.

That here in America.

In the wealthiest nation on earth.

No illness or accident should lead to any family's financial world.

I know there will be a lot of discussion today about the politics -- -- this.

But who won and who lost.

Its obvious things tend to be viewed here in Washington.

That discussion completely misses the point.

Whatever the politics.

Today's decision was a victory for people all over this country.

Whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the supreme court's decision to uphold.

And because this law has a direct impact on so many Americans I want to take this opportunity to talk about exactly what it means for you.

First.

If you're one of the more than 250 million Americans who already have health insurance.

You'll keep your health insurance.

This law will only make it more secure and more affordable.

Insurance companies can no longer impose lifetime limits on the amount of care you receive.

They can no longer discriminate against children with preexisting conditions.

They can no longer drop your coverage if you get sick.

They can no longer Jack up your premiums without reason.

They are required to provide free preventive care like checkups and mammograms.

A provision that's already -- top 54 million Americans with private insurance.

And by this August nearly thirteen million of you will receive a rebate from your insurance company.

Because it's spent too much on things like administrative costs and CEO bonuses and not enough on your health care.

There's more.

Because of the Affordable Care Act young adults under the age of 26 are able to stay on their parents' health care plants.

A provision that's -- helped six million young Americans.

And because the Affordable Care Act seniors receive a discount on the prescription drugs.

The discount that's -- saved more than five million seniors on Medicare about 600 dollars each.

All of this is happening because of the affordable -- These provisions provide common sense protections for middle class families and they enjoyed broad popular support.

And thanks to today's decision all of these benefits and protections will continue for Americans who already have health insurance.

Now if you're one of the thirty million Americans who don't yet have health insurance.

Starting in 2014.

This law we'll offer you an array of quality affordable private health insurance plans to choose from.

Each state will take the lead in designing their -- menu of options in the states can come up would be even better ways of covering more people at the same quality and cost.

This law allows them to do that -- And I've asked congress to help speed up that process and give states this flexibility in year one.

-- states set up these health insurance marketplaces known as exchanges.

Insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any American with a preexisting health commission.

They won't be able to charge you more just because your woman.

There won't be able to bill you get into bankruptcy.

Intersect they'll finally have the same chance to get quality affordable health care as everyone else.

And if you can't afford the premiums you'll receive -- credit that helps pay for.

Today the Supreme Court also upheld the principle that people who can afford health insurance should take the responsibility.

To buy health insurance.

This is important for two reasons.

First went uninsured people who can afford coverage get sick and show up at the emergency room for care.

The rest of us end up paying for their care in the form of higher premiums.

And second if you ask insurance companies to cover people with preexisting conditions but don't require people who can afford -- to buy their own insurance.

Some folks might wait until they're sick to -- the care they need.

Which would also drive up everybody else's premiums.

That's why even though I knew -- be politically popular.

And resisted the idea when I ran for this office.

We ultimately included a provision in the Affordable Care Act that people who can afford to buy health insurance should take the responsibility to do so.

In fact -- ideas enjoyed support from members of both parks including the current Republican nominee for president.

Still I know the debate over this law has been the best.

I respect the very real concerns that millions of Americans have -- And I know a lot of coverage through this health care debate has focused on what it means political.

Well it should be pretty clear by now that I didn't do this because it was good politics.

I did it because I believed it was good for the country.

I did it because I believed it was good for the American people.

You know there's a framed letter that hangs in my office right now.

It was sent to me during the health care debate by woman named in the Potomac -- For years and years the -- did everything right.

-- -- health insurance she paid her premiums on time.

But eighteen years ago in the -- was diagnosed with cancer.

Even though -- been cancer free for more than a decade her insurance company kept jacking operates year after year.

And despite her desire to -- coverage.

Despite her fears that she would get sick again she had to surrender her health insurance and was forced to hang her fortunes on chance.

I carried the -- story with me every day of the fight to pass this law.

It reminded me of all the Americans all across the country.

Who have had to worry not only about getting sick.

But about the cost of getting well.

And -- -- well today.

And because of this law there other Americans.

Other sons and daughters.

Brothers and sisters.

Fathers and mothers.

Who will not have to hang their fortunes on chance.

These are the Americans for whom we passed this law.

The highest court in land has now spoken.

We will continue to implement this law and -- work together to improve on it where we can.

What we won't do.

What the country can't afford to do is refight the political battles of two years ago or go back to the way things work.

-- today's announcement it's time for us to move forward.

To implement and where necessary improve on -- -- Now's the time to keep our focus on the most urgent challenge a -- time putting people back to work.

Paying down our debt and building an economy where people can have confidence that if they work hard they can get ahead.

But today I'm as confident as ever that when we look back five years from now or ten years from now for twenty years from now.

Will be better off because we have the -- to pass this law and keep moving forward.

Thank you god bless your god bless America.

The president's.

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