Maryland leaders' reactions to the historic Supreme Court decision Thursday to uphold the Affordable Care Act ranged from calling it an “albatross” around the president’s neck to saying it was a decision that will protect millions of lives.

GOV. MARTIN O’MALLEY: “By 2014, no American will be denied health care coverage because of a pre-existing condition.”

HOWARD COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER PETER BEILENSON: “Now that the Supreme Court has ruled this is the law of the land, we can start explaining it to the average citizen what it means."

SEN. ALLAN KITTLEMAN, R-HOWARD/CARROLL COUNTY: “I think it’s going to be one of the if not the biggest issue(s) in the election…It could be an albatross to hang around the president’s neck and make it difficult for re-election.”

BALTIMORE COUNTY HEALTH ADVOCATE JEFF RICHARDSON: "It was pretty wild," Richardson said of the atmosphere in Washington Thursday morning. "People were either excited or terrified."

SEN. BEN CARDIN, D-MARYLAND: "Before this law, every responsible American with health insurance was subsidizing the health care needs of the rest.”

DEL. SAM ARORA, D-MONTGOMERY COUNTY: “The decision is better than historic, it is caring.…People now can get the care they need without the fear of financial devastation."

DICK LADD, R-ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY COUNCIL: "Sounds like a major increase in government spending, size and taxes...good for those who do not pay taxes and or get tax refunds; very unnerving for those who pay taxes..."

U.S. REP. ANDY HARRIS, R-MARYLAND: “The Supreme Court’s decision determined the law’s constitutionality, not whether the law is good policy.”