Colbeck Plans Town Hall in Canton for Affordable Care Act

State Sen. Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton) will hold a town hall meeting Tuesday in Canton to discuss the impact of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (House Resolution 3590) crafted by President Barack Obama, recently upheld as constitutional by the United States Supreme Court, and how it affects the state of Michigan and residents.

The forum will run 7-9 p.m. Tuesday in the banquet and conference center at the , 46000 Summit Parkway in Canton.

Colbeck opposed passage of the health care bill and said the federal healthcare law requires most adults not covered by an employer or government-sponsored insurance plan to maintain health insurance coverage or pay a penalty, commonly referred to as the individual mandate.

Colbeck said in a news release that Obama told the public the legislation would in no way be a tax, yet the U.S. Supreme Court upheld most provisions of the act as a tax.

“The president claimed that this was not a tax. However, the Supreme Court decision clarified that that is exactly what this is. I respect the justices serving on the United States Supreme Court but I believe they got it wrong when they upheld Obamacare," Colbeck said.

"Obamacare" is a common nickname for the bill.

"What’s more," Colbeck wrote, "Since everything Congress could dream of could be subject to a tax, this ruling continues the erosion of the principle of limited government."

The meeting will provide an opportunity to hear the lawmaker’s input on the changes and how they will affect the United States, Michigan and residents. Colbeck will be available for questions from the general public, and the forum is open to the public.