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SECRETARY DENNIS G. SMITH STATEMENT ON U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING

MADISON—The U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) today. Wisconsin was one of 29 states to challenge the constitutionality of the law. DHS Secretary Dennis G. Smith reacted to the decision with the following statement:

“Today’s decision does not end the controversy over PPACA. It is the beginning of another chapter that will continue through the November elections. PPACA is now revealed as an enormous and regressive tax on Americans. It will increase taxes especially on the poor. It will increase the cost of insurance on working middle class families. It will not keep the promises made by the Administration in respect to expanding health insurance coverage.

“While we will be reviewing the decision carefully to determine its full impact, Wisconsin’s health insurance market remains robust and the state has one of the highest levels of people with health insurance coverage. These achievements were made without federal mandates. Governor Walker, our Department and the Commissioner of Insurance will await the results of the November elections before taking action specific to today’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling on PPACA.”

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Last Revised:  June 28, 2012