Montgomery County Leaders: Maryland Already Health Care Leader

Maryland leaders have had the chance to absorb the : The Supreme Court, in a split decision, has upheld the individual mandate that requires the purchase of insurance as a tax.

The Affordable Care Act stays in effect, although opponents pledge they won't give up the fight.

While Marylanders apparently have mixed feelings about the ruling, the response among Montgomery County leaders was upbeat.

“Today’s decision is a huge victory for the American people,” Rep. Chris Van Hollen Jr., D-Md., whose district includes parts of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, said in a statement. “The historic Affordable Care Act has changed the course of health care in our nation for the better, and will continue to improve the quality of life for all Americans as it is fully phased in.”

Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., who , called the decision "a win for the American people.”

"Before this law, every responsible American with health insurance was subsidizing the health care needs of the rest," Cardin said in a statement. "That unfair arrangement will be coming to an end soon, as all Americans become part of a more efficient, more cost-effective health care system.” 

Lawmakers from Montgomery County were early adopters of the Affordable Care Act that President Obama championed. Thursday’s decision allows the law to stand.

"We were going to move forward with this in Maryland regardless of the Supreme Court ruling,” said Md. Del. Heather Mizeur, D-Dist. 20. “Maryland raised the age that children could stay under their parents' insurance to 25 three years before the federal government did."

According to state , D-Dist. 39, of Germantown, Maryland was designated as a fast-track state, which meant it received grant money to put structures in place to implement the HealthCare Act. Maryland Health Insurance Exchange, which will allow individuals and businesses to compare insurance plank, would be on track to be in place by Jan. 1, 2014, according to Reznik, a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee.

"Maryland is way ahead in terms of implementation," Reznik, told Patch shortly after the decision was announced.

Montgomery County Health Officer Dr. Ulder Tillman said the county would be taking its cues from the state.

"This is very exciting news for us," Tillman told Patch shortly after the ruling.

Members of the Montgomery County Council’s Health and Human Services Committee reportedly paused to cheer the court’s decision during the group’s meeting Tuesday morning. A Washington Examiner reporter at the meeting tweeted:

"MoCo Council Health and Human Services committee just cheered ‪#scotus‬ decision on healthcare."

"Now the MoCo Council Health and Human Services committee is having a hard time getting back to their discussion. Berliner looks giddy."

The Committee’s chairman, George Leventhal, D-At Large, of Takoma Park, echoed the sentiment in a prepared statement:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision means that, beginning in 2014, the federal and state governments will finally help us to provide access to care for our uninsured residents. I congratulate Chief Justice John Roberts, a Montgomery County resident, for placing his judicial responsibilities first, and I am deeply grateful for the leadership of President Barack Obama.”

Leventhal spearheaded the 2005 formation of the Montgomery Cares network of health clinics for people without insurance.

In a joint statement, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Lt. Anthony Brown said:

“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.”

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Local Editors Greg Cohen contributed Ryan McDermott contributed to this story.