SD Members of Congress, Candidate React to Obamacare Decision

Democrats seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief that the U.S. Supreme Court declared Thursday the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act constitutional.

In contrast, local Republican members of Congress continued calls to repeal the legislation passed in 2010.

Some, including Republican candidate Michael Crimmins who is running to represent Imperial Beach in Congress, used the decision as a rallying call for voters to elect conservatives in the fall.

In a statement released Thursday, Democratic Rep. Susan Davis (D-San Diego) who represents IB called the decision a move in the right direction.

“So many Americans are already benefiting from the new health care law," she said. "I’m sure they are relieved that these benefits will not be taken away from them."

Among local elected officials, Imperial Beach Mayor Jim Janney declined to comment on the decision, simply stating via email Thursday afternoon, "I really do not know the details."

from Coronado Mayor Casey Tanaka and other local officials.

Imperial Beach will leave California's 53rd Congressional District after November elections for California's 51st District currently being contended for by State Sen. Juan Vargas and Crimmins.

Sen. Juan Vargas did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Before the June 5 primary, Crimmins named the repeal of Obamacare one of six priorities if elected to Congress, and following Thursday's decision he maintained the same stance. He was joined for calls of repeal by Rep. Duncan Hunter, Speaker of the House Jon Boehner, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

No San Diego Republican members of Congress voted in favor of the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

"This ruling on the law’s constitutional validity doesn’t change the fact that it’s a bad law," said Hunter in a statement.

"Simply put, we cannot afford the president’s health care plan," said Rep. Brian Bilbray who is also the former mayor of Imperial Beach Brian Bilbray.

The bill is an intrusion by the federal government, Crimmins said, and health care is too important a part of the economy to be controlled by "bean counters," he said.

"It’s just wrong for us and we need to stop it in its tracks now before we throw our economy into a depression."

"While I am disappointed that the Supreme Court did not overturn Obamacare, I truly believe Californians and Americans deserve better," he said.

In place of the Affordable Care Act, Crimmins suggests health care reform that allows policies be sold across state lines, fights Medicare fraud and champions tort reform.

Reform should include the right to health care for people with pre-existing conditions, he said it's "too early to tell" if he could support any universal health care bill in the future.

"Let's see what is proposed in the near future for moving forward," Crimmins said.

"Our children’s generation and the generations yet to come will judge us by how we respond to this ruling," he said.

Despite Thursday's ruling, Crimmins sees November elections as the ultimate determinant of whether the bill lives or dies, and believes voters should focus on electing fiscal conservatives.

"We are at a pivotal time in our nation’s history and we cannot afford to just sit back," he said. "We'll see what tune the fat lady is singing in November."