President Obama: ‘The Affordable Care Act is here to stay’

US President Barack Obama makes a statement to the press after a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House March 2, 2015, in Washington, DC (AFP Photo/Brendan Smialowski)

Shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision to uphold tax subsidies crucial to the implementation of Obamacare, President Barack Obama addressed the country about his signature health care law.

"The Affordable Care Act is here to stay," Obama said.

"All of America has protections it didn't have before," he said Thursday morning, standing alongside Vice President Joe Biden in the White House's Rose Garden. "This is not an abstract thing anymore. This is not a set of political talking points. This is reality. We can see how it's working."

In a 6-3 decision on the legitimacy of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Thursday, the country's highest court upheld the part of the law that makes it easier for Americans to afford insurance, no matter where they live. Millions of Americans, Obama said, will continue to receive tax credits for signing up to the ACA.

The president acknowledged the more than 50 votes in Congress brought forward in the past few years to repeal or weaken Obamacare, and the multiple challenges presented to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"As the dust has settled, there can be no doubt this law is working," he said. "The setbacks I remember clearly," he added.

Five years ago when the ACA went into effect, the country declared that "in America, health care is not a privilege for a few, but a right for all," he said. "This was a good day for America," he added. "Let's get back to work."

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