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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (July 4, 2012)
Iuly4, 2012 Court Upholds Obama Health Law (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld virtually all of President Barack Obama's historic health care overhaul, including the hotly debated core requirement that nearly every American have health insurance. The 5-4 decision meant the huge overhaul, still taking effect, could proceed and pick up momentum over the next several years, affecting the way that countless Americans receive and pay for their personal medical care. The ruling hands Obama a campaign-season victory in reject ing arguments that Congress went too far in approving the plan. However, Republicans quickly indicated they will try to use the decision to rally their supporters against what they call "Obamacare," arguing that the ruling characterized the penalty against people who refuse to get insurance as a tax. Breaking with the court's other conservative justices, Chief Justice John Roberts announced the judgment that allows the law to go forward with its aim of covering more than 30 million uninsured Americans. Roberts explained at length the court's view of the mandate as a valid exercise of Congress' authority to "lay and collect taxes." The administration estimates that roughly 4 million people will pay the penalty rather than buy insurance. Even though Congress called it a penalty, not a tax, Roberts said, "The payment is collected solely by the IRS through the normal means of taxation." The court found problems with the law's expansion of Med icaid, but even there said the expansion could proceed as long as the federal government does not threaten to withhold states' entire Medicaid allotment if they don't take part in the law's Supporters o f President Barack Obama's health care law celebrate outside the Supreme Court in Washing extension. ton, D.C., Thursday, after the court's ruling in favor o f the law. (AP photo) Healthcare Education Concorde Career College specializes in healthcare education and training in many of today's fastest-growing healthcare professions. • Dental Assistant • Medical Assistant Surgical Technology Respiratory Therapy Practical Nursing Medical Office Administration ME1¥/ FREE BROCHURE CALLTODAY! 888.665.4096 concorde4me.com Accredited Member, ACCSC. VA Approved for Eligible Veterans. I Aid available to those who qualify. o bait ow gnxkw twi rates, the n e d in debt of students who «rip ieted the iofainotioo, pteose « i t aw website at www.cuiicnjte.edu/ifcdosur«. Emergency Call for Blood Donors The Red Cross blood supply has reached em ergency levels with 50,000 fewer donations than ex pected in June. The Red Cross is calling on all eligible donors to give blood as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O posi tive, O negative, B negative and A negative. The need is constant. Every tw o seco n d s, som eone in the United States needs a blood trans- fusion. Blood and platelets are needed for many different reasons, including accident and burn vic tim s, heart surgery patients, or gan transplants, when there are com plications during childbirth, and for patients receiving treat ment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. Call 1 -800-RED CROSS ( 1 -800- 733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. am H ealth W atch Samaritan Hospital. Sm oke-Free S u p p o rt G ro u p — Free Body Basics — This physician Meets Mondays, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. For recommended class is appropriate for all ages and health conditions. information, call 503-256-4000. Plan to attend this one-session class O steoporosis Screening — An ul and learn the simple guidelines for trasound bone density screening safe exercises, including stretching. with personalized education; fee $30. Call 503-256-4000to register. To schedule an appointment, call Empowerment through Relaxation 503-261-6611. — Free informal meditation classes Fam ily C aregiver S u p p o rt G ro u p that address breathing techniques, -- This topic-oriented group offers a some gentle ancient African yoga safe place to discuss the stresses, poses and mental balancing tech challenges and rewards o f provid niques. People have left these ing care to an older relative or friend. classes joyful and with a peaceful Meets the first Thursday of each view of their lives. Call Dr. Marcelitte month at 3 p.m. at Legacy Good FaiUa at503-228-6140.
