WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-FL, issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to uphold the constitutionality of President Obama’s national health care law:

“While the Supreme Court did not declare the President’s government takeover of health care unconstitutional, the law remains unworkable and unaffordable,” said Buchanan, a member of the Health Subcommittee on Ways & Means.  “Congress must work in a bipartisan manner to repeal and replace the health care law with common-sense reforms that lower the cost of health insurance and ensure that the American people can go to the doctor of their choice.”  

The Supreme Court upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in a narrow 5-4 decision delivered by Chief Justice John Roberts.

“There is no question we need to reform our health care system that now consumes almost 20 percent of our national economic output,” said Buchanan.  “However, we need to do so under a system that does not drive-up health care costs, increase taxes on small businesses, stifle job creation, or jeopardize future benefits for seniors."