Sen. Markley Response to SCOTUS Decision on the Affordable Care Act

Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington)ranking member of the Human Services Committee released the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court of the United States 5 – 4 decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act.

"Americans are being told they have to pay a tax if they do not have health insurance. It is outrageous that people would be penalized for exercising their right to freedom of choice in the United States of America.

"When the Affordable Care Act was passed the Democrats refused call this a "tax" and specifically argued that it was not a "tax".　 Now they and the President will own the fact that in the middle of one of the worst economic recessions, our country has ever seen they are raising taxes on hard working middle income Americans.　

"Does our health care system need to be reformed? Yes. However, I do not think this is the way to do it. After all is said and done there will still be approximately 26 million people in our nation without health care, half a million right here in Connecticut.

"This Obama tax is un-American."