UPDATED (4:30 p.m.)—State Senator Nancy Jacobs said shakes Harford County to its core.
"It is a diverse area. If you look at this county, I believe this county is built on a bedrock of small businesses," Jacobs said in a phone interview with Patch Thursday. "I truly believe this is a great county and we have hundreds of small businesses under 50 employees, and this is going to hurt every single one of them that wants to expand."
Video: See what Harford County residents and workers had to say.
Glen Glass was fed up.
The for District 34A in Harford County said he thinks his constituents will be up in arms, too, following that requires the purchase of insurance as a tax.
"I think most of the people in my district will be pretty upset with this. I don’t think they want the federal government telling them what to do," Glass said in a phone interview with Patch Thursday morning. "I thought we were free as Americans, but it doesn’t look like it anymore."
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"I’m sick and tired of the federal government—they want to take more and more of our freedom and our liberty. And I have a problem with that," Glass said.
went on to say the ruling likely would stir up the republican base, potentially giving conservative presidential candidate Mitt Romney a wave of support.
"Our economy has gotten worse ever since President Obama took over. Now, if people, the citizens of Harford County choose not to buy health insurance, they’ll be penalized $2,500 in the worst economy of our lifetime."
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In an email from a spokesman Thursday morning, Harford County Executive David Craig declined comment, but issued a statement at the end of business that same day.
"Just because a law is deemed to be constitutional does not mean it is good policy," Craig said in the released statement.
The statement went on to say, "Obamacare represents another step in the unraveling of the personal freedoms that our Founding Fathers fought to preserve. While proponents hail this legislation as providing greater accessibility, the fact is that it provides more access to less – less personal choice, fewer resources, and lower quality care."
Jacobs, also a Republican nominee for Congress in District 2, wrote in a release: "Time and time again we were told that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would not be a tax increase. However, today’s Supreme Court ruling told us what we already knew; the ACA is another massive tax bill being pushed on middle class Americans."
She said Democratic Congressman C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger—the incumbent in the seat for which Jacobs is running—"voted for this bill and openly supported it."
Jacobs added: "It will be one of my priorities to repeal these tax increases on the middle class when elected to Congress and replace them with common sense reforms."
In a release, Ruppersberger said: "This ruling is not about a victory for Democrats or a loss for Republicans. It’s about providing all Americans with access to quality, affordable healthcare."
Gov. Martin O'Malley released a joint statement with Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown:
“President Obama and Congress chose to pass the Affordable Care Act because the status quo was hurting our ability to create jobs, expand opportunity, and protect the health of our children and parents.
“In upholding the Affordable Care Act, the U.S. Supreme Court chose to protect the lives of millions of Marylanders and millions of Americans. American businesses will be more competitive in the global economy with lower health care costs and a healthier workforce. Parents will be able to keep their children on their health care plans until age 26. Seniors will avoid the Medicare Donut Hole. And by 2014, no American will be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition.
“Today’s decision gives considerable momentum to our health care reform efforts here in Maryland. What it does not – and indeed must not – do, is give us license to take our eye off the ball or slow our progress. Moms, dads, and kids throughout Maryland are counting on their elected leaders to continue the mission of lowering costs, and improving the quality of care.
“We remain as committed as ever to moving forward on behalf of our families. We must move forward, not back.”
President Obama is expected to make an address at 12:15 p.m. Thursday.
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The Huffington Post is providing live coverage.
The ruling immediately impacted the stock market, and prompted religious reaction.
Stay with for updates to this story and comments from more officials throughout the day.
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This ruling has huge implications for the role of government in our lives. I look forward to seeing the repeal of Obamacare after the election this November, and I hope this ruling will inspire people to pick up a copy of the Constitution to see that healthcare is nowhere listed in the enumerated powers of Congress.
Del. Glass, have you ever had your insurance refuse to cover treatment because they deem something a "pre-existing condition?" Do you even know how much EACH ONE OF US is already penalized in the form of high costs for health care by those who don't have or buy insurance? Do you even know what it costs to treat the uninsured in America today? Do you also want to see Social Security and Medicare abolished - after all, that's part of the federal government, too. It is shameful that a country as great as the USA does not care for its citizens. Yes, that means the government doing so. I would far rather have my tax dollars helping people to stay healthy than financing a war - in which our brave soldiers are being maimed and killed - to protect corporate oil interests! I am DELIGHTED that the Health Care Act was upheld by SCOTUS. And I am ashamed that do not support your county's citizens and oppose the first sensible steps toward health care reform that this country has made. Gina Kazimir
I know many small business owners, and I know of not even one that welcomes Obamacare. Small Business Majority (what a name) has only been around a few years, and seems to have a very progressive and liberal agenda. I am not convinced of anything except that when government gets invoved, it costs alot more and restricts our freedom greatly.
I think the law was meant to get at companies like Wal Mart and Home Depot who employ 32 hour part timers, don't provide any benefits and don't pay enough for them to afford insurance.