Indiana Rep. Larry Bucshon intently watched Thursday’s Supreme Court ruling on the Obama health plan, both as a member of Congress and as a longtime cardiothoracic surgeon. Rep. Bucshon says he is deeply disappointed that the individual mandate was upheld but he is more concerned about that the plan will do to the quality of health care in the nation. Bucshon is mildly encouraged that the Supreme Court also allowed states to refuse being part of the Medicaid expansion used to extend coverage. Bucshon says more people on Medicaid will mean more people not getting to see doctors because the reimbursement rate is so low. He says previously uninsured people may now have a card in their pocket but many of them will still need to head to the emergency room for care. He says November will be key to potentially electing a president and Congress that will dismantle much of the Obama plan.
