President Obama will be speaking shortly from the White House, reacting to today's Supreme Court decision
upholding Obamacare subsidies, which means more than eight million Americans will be able to keep their health insurance. Speculation is that Obama's initial reaction was "bwahahahaha!" and "suck on it, Republicans," but stay tuned while we liveblog the president's official reaction.
You can watch the president's statement here.
8:35 AM PT: Obama begins by noting that it's been five years since Congress declared health care is not a privilege but a right.
8:36 AM PT: Obama says after more than 50 votes to repeal or destroy this law over the last five years, "the Affordable Care Act is here to stay."
8:38 AM PT: "Today is a victory for hard-working Americans," for parents giving coverage to their children, for seniors and for women, and "because of this law and because of today's decision," millions of Americans will keep their coverage.
8:39 AM PT: Notes that more than 16 million more Americans are covered because of Obamacare and that the uninsured rate is at historic lows.
8:40 AM PT: "This law is working exactly as it's supposed to," for all the misinformation, and repeal attempts, "this law is now helping tens of millions of Americans ... this law is working and it's going to keep on doing that."
8:42 AM PT: Says that with all the noise, many don't even know they're benefiting from Obamacare and "that's okay," because this wasn't about a government takeover, it was about making health care more attainable and more affordable.
8:43 AM PT: Says that we will keep working to improve the law and improve the system. That we will keep working to get more people covered. Says more governors need to put politics aside and expand Medicaid. Says there is more work to do.
8:44 AM PT: Says that Obamacare is "now woven into the fabric of America," and calls on Democrats and Republicans to come together to make the law better. (Fat chance.)
8:46 AM PT: Obama closes by saying, "This was a good day for America, let's get back to work."