Liberals and millions of Americans collectively sighed in relief as the Supreme Court announced in a 5-4 decision that President Barack Obama's health care reform law would be upheld in its near entirety Thursday morning.
For 30 million or so uninsured Americans it means a shot at health coverage, whether they couldn't afford it or couldn't qualify for it before the law. For many others, the Court's decision means the burden of another unwanted tax. Whether elated or angry, most are just happy to finally have a decision.
However, there is no time to cheer or cry as there is still much work to be done, from states getting their insurance exchanges up and running to employers familiarizing themselves with the law to meet compliance to conservatives gearing up for the next battle: the November election.
President Barack Obama speaks in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, June 28, 2012, after the Supreme Court ruled on his health care legislation. (AP Photo/Luke Sharrett/Pool)
This artist rendering shows Chief Justice John Roberts, center, speaking at the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, June 28, 2012. From left are, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Elena Kagan. (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)
Demonstrators react to the Supreme Court landmark decision on health care, Thursday, June 28, 2012, outside the court in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
With the Capitol in the background, Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney speaks about the Supreme Court's health care ruling, Thursday, June 28, 2012, in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
