WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) --- Proponents of the Affordable Health Care Act which was, in large part, found constitutional by a divided United States Supreme Court on Thursday believe the Act's strengths outweigh its weaknesses and is a good thing for the country.


The Act's most visible supporter is President Obama, who spoke to the nation after the ruling Thursday afternoon:


"I know there will be a lot of discussion today about the politics of all this, about who won and who lost. Thats how these things tend to be viewed here in Washington. But that discussion completely misses the point. Whatever the politics, today's decision was a victory for people all over this country whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Courts decision to uphold it.








"Each state will take the lead in designing their own menu of options, and if states can come up with even better ways of covering more people at the same quality and cost, this law allows them to do that, too. And I've asked Congress to help speed up that process, and give states this flexibility in year one.

"Once states set up these health insurance marketplaces, known as exchanges, insurance companies will no longer be able to discriminate against any American with a preexisting health condition. They wont be able to charge you more just because you're a woman. They wont be able to bill you into bankruptcy. If you're sick, you'll finally have the same chance to get quality, affordable health care as everyone else. And if you cant afford the premiums, you'll receive a credit that helps pay for it.








"For years and years, Natoma did everything right. She bought health insurance. She paid her premiums on time. But 18 years ago, Natoma was diagnosed with cancer. And even though shed been cancer-free for more than a decade, her insurance company kept jacking up her rates, year after year. And despite her desire to keep her coverage -- despite her fears that she would get sick again -- she had to surrender her health insurance, and was forced to hang her fortunes on chance.



"The highest Court in the land has now spoken. We will continue to implement this law. And we'll work together to improve on it where we can. But what we wont do -- what the country cant afford to do -- is refight the political battles of two years ago, or go back to the way things were.


"But today, I'm as confident as ever that when we look back five years from now, or 10 years from now, or 20 years from now, well be better off because we had the courage to pass this law and keep moving forward.

"Thank you. God bless you, and God bless America," he said.