Boehner warns GOP against 'spiking the ball' on health care ruling
(CNN) - House Speaker John Boehner issued a warning Thursday to fellow House Republicans, firmly stating they should avoid celebrating if the Supreme Court overturns the controversial health care law passed by Democrats.
"No one knows what the Court will decide, and none of us would presume to know. But if the Court strikes down all or part of the president's health care law, there will be no spiking of the ball," Boehner said in a memo to GOP members of the chamber.
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The Supreme Court is expected to soon make a decision on the law's constitutionality. At issue is the legality of the measure's health care mandate, a provision that has remained the center of a bitter partisan debate since the law was passed more than two years ago.
Republicans, who frequently refer to the measure as "Obamacare," have especially made the law a hot button topic on the campaign trail. Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney repeatedly says he will attempt to repeal the law on his first day in office should he win November's election.
Even if the high court rules in favor of Republicans' argument against the controversial law, Boehner on Thursday encouraged House members to stay focused on the economy–not claiming victory.
"We will not celebrate at a time when millions of our fellow Americans remain out of work, the national debt has exceeded the size of our nation's economy, health costs continue to rise, and small businesses are struggling to hire," Boehner stated.
A majority of Americans-51%–say they oppose the health care law, according to the latest CNN/ORC International Poll conducted in late May. However, it should be noted that nearly one in six oppose the law on the grounds that it is not liberal enough.
Arguing the law is a major threat to economic recovery, the speaker said the House will work on legislation to repeal any part of the law "that is left standing by the Supreme Court."
"Such action is critical for jobs and our economy and for the health care of millions of American families," he said.
Responding to the memo, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's office released its own note, chastising Republicans for railing against the law.
"It is a sad day when Republicans continue to cheer against the health benefits Americans are already enjoying, while running out the clock on the economy and pursuing policies that are dangerous to a thriving middle class. No one, except perhaps House Republicans, actually believes they 'are focused on the economy'," the note stated. "Health care reform is not a game for the American people."
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Obama had a 72% mandate in the 2008 election to overhaul healthcare. Every poll has indicated that the MAJORITY wants the ACA or AN EVEN MORE LIBERAL VERSION (aka a single payer system). If the Bush-puppets on the Supreme court strike it down, the Congress acting on the will of the people must come up with something that is the ACA without the individual mandate (you know, the thing that the GOP proposed originally as an "answer" to the problem of the single payer system). So the logical thing is universal coverage and a single payer system. That's the most economical solution unless the GOP wants to run on the platform of "A hospital can not let you in if they don't want to and can kick you out if you can't pay in advance for care". That's the only other solution that makes economical sense. Their non-solution of "we don't cover people but an emergency room must treat you if you're critically ill" is what is bankrupting the country. It's why America pays 10x per person of any Western country yet we have the worst overall citizen health of any Western country. As usual, the GOP is being penny-wise and pound-foolish (and just greedy because of all the insurance lobbyists).
Republicans are notorious for spiking the ball at the 30 yard line. Mission accomplished.
Boehner's so weak he can't spike a cotton ball.
People without health insurance still get sick, they will still go to hospitals, they will still require care but without health insurance, the costs will be the burden of the county hospitals they use just like it use to be. Pay one way or the other. WE NEED TO FIX THE COSTS OF HEALTH CARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All of you low information voters who listen to Fox News and all the Right Wing talking heads, if they turn the Health care law down.......you just lost preexsisting conditions(if you lose your insurance or do not have insurance and try to get another insurance company and you have a disease or illness ex. cancer, they DO NOT have to cover you), if your children have a preexsisting condition, they do not have to cover them. Your children age 26 and younger can be kick off your insurance policy: Seniors, drugs are costing you less because of closing the donut hole, if overturned, the insurance companies will increase your costs. FEMALES: you are now covered for breast and other exams without cost to you, the insurance company picks up cost. IF overturned, they will not cover those exams and you will pay.....If those Americans that do not have insurance and will be mandated to get insurance from a large pool (vary cost depending on how much they can spend) will help all of our premimums to be lower. WE now pay for those who do not have insurance because when they go to emergency room or other clinics, we pay . Our premiums go up...Mine has...
Be informed, stop listening to FOX and Rush L.....broaden your knowledge and get your act together. Stop voting against your own interests. GO to http://www.healthcare.gov and learn about the law. Unfortunately it maybe to late!!!!! BE INFORMED!!!!
Health care law is a dire need of USA.
Just wait until Americans start to receive notices in the mail from insurance companies notifying them of increased premiums, denied or dropped coverage all relating to pre-existing conditions. Also, notices stating that college age kids over twenty-one will be kicked off their parent's halthcare plan effective immediately. And, senior citizens on fixed incomes will have to come out of their pockets to cover the Medicare donut hole expense.
Way to go republicans to get people to vote for you!
Here's the funny thing about Obamacare. When people are polled about the individual pieces of the plan, they overwhelmingly approve. But when ask if they support Obama's healthcare reform, that support drops. The fact is, most voters have no idea how the law benefits them and are basing their opinion on distortions and outright fabrications put out by the conservative media and the GOP. It's actually kind of sad to see how lazy people are when it comes to the policies that directly affect their lives.
The GOP simply does not care about the poor, the sick, or the elderly. By doing awa with the ACA they are kicking 30 million Americans to the curb by ending their access to health care. Their Ryan economic plan amply demostrates their desire to pay for their "Wealthy Welfare" programs off of the backs of the poor and middle class and the progamsthey benefit from: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. They can't (or won't) let anything out of the Senate with their filibusters, and no doubt because they are way too busy passing anti-abortion and anti-birth control bills in the House there have been no jobs bills (including the Transportation budget they keep holding up that is worth thousands of construction jobs). In the states, they are working hard to strip away the Civil and Voting rights of Americans.
The Republican Party is obviously trying to become public enemy # 1. A cartel for America's rich, and an enemy of the American people.
GOP wont b happy till the former-future allen grayson bill pass. If u get sick die quickly bill.
TO, Gurgyl, B, and Gary B:
It is sad that we are very uneducated society. And what really is sad, we allowed the TEA PARTY to take over in 2010 because many did not vote. We also allowed the racist of our country raise their ugly heads! We allowed the GOP to preach hatred form day one when President Obama took office. They only care about the top 1%, big oil, big business etc. They have done everything in their power to derail the President! AND the American people allowed it to happen. Allowed the NUT JOBS to take over. We will be in a world of hurt if Romney and the GOP take over!!!! GOOD luck to you.
Boehner is worried because the ball will go over to the GOP/Tea Party's court. The American people will wait with a critical eye on what they have to offer.