Governor Beebe Reacts to SCOTUS Health Care Ruling

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) -- The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday to uphold the so-called individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, and Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe, in reaction to the ruling, says it must now be determined how this will affect Arkansas residents.

"We will study the impact the Court’s ruling will have on health care in Arkansas going forward. In the mean time, our separate initiative to create cost savings and improve health care in Arkansas continues," Beebe said in a statement. "Our aim is to set an example other states can follow, regardless of what transpires next in Washington, D.C."

The court ruled that the mandate is unconstitutional under the Constitution's commerce clause, but it can stay as part of Congress's power under a taxing clause. The court said that the government will be allowed to tax people for not having health insurance.

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