Health Care Debate | Video

Alexander Gorney | 7/23/2012

Even after the Supreme Court ruling on President Obama`s health care law, groups in North Dakota are still speaking out.

"The health and human services at the federal government will have the ultimate say on what is allowable and what essentially coverage coverage means. That can be changed on a whim. That is not subject to any congressional authority. I think it is quite dangerous to have somebody is isn`t elected decide what essential coverage means."

That was one several comments made inside the State Capitol this morning in opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Proponents of the law say Americans have total control of their health care.

"This is democracy in action. It gives people the option to get insurance through their employer with their employer getting a tax break to do that however if the employer does not do it then the individual has the right to buy insurance directly in a pool that is just as cheap as if it were through an employer."

The health care law gives states the choice to set up its own health insurance exchanges or allow the federal government to set it up.

But groups like North Dakota Policy Council say there are better ways to deal with health care.

"The overall need is to replace it with a consumer centric model where consumers are put in charge of their own health care. They know what they`re getting going forward."

The law may be viewed as consitutional, but in North Dakota it`s an issue with two strongly opposed views.

The Act is divided into 10 parts and is being phased in through 2020.

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