Obamacare ruled unconstitutional by judge amid open enrollment period
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/obamacare-ruled-unconstitutional-by-texas-judge
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was struck down by a Texas judge on Friday, a move that could suddenly disrupt the health insurance status of millions of Americans. The decision comes amid a six-week open enrollment period for the program.
Texas, along with 19 states, had argued to U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor that they had been hurt by a jump in the amount of people utilizing state-backed insurance. When Congress cut the tax penalty from the program in 2017, the states claimed, it essentially undercut the Supreme Court’s reasoning for finding former President Barack Obama’s signature legislation constitutional in 2012.
“The remainder of the ACA is non-severable from the individual mandate, meaning that the Act must be invalidated in whole,” O’Connor wrote in a 55-page opinion, according to Bloomberg. O'Connor is a conservative Republican appointee who previously blocked other Obama-era policies.
"As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster," President Trump tweeted following the ruling. "Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions. Mitch and Nancy, get it done!"
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[–] QueenJanky ago
The way I understand ACA: if you don't have medical insurance through work you get it through a website. If you can't afford it, you are penalized when you file your taxes. So is this saying it is now Unconstitutional because you don't have that tax penalty any longer?
[–] Quasi-King 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
Yes.
It was passed as with FINE for not having insurance. Supreme Court determined that a FINE would make it Unconstitutional. The SC then decided to exceed their authority and redefine the FINE as a TAX. Since the government has unlimited authority to create taxes, Obamacare them became Constitutional.
Now that there is no longer a tax involved, the entire rationale for Obamacare being Constitutional no longer exists. In theory, that could render the entire law Unconstitutional.
[–] WhyAserverWasBuilt ago
No that part was the mandate. That was already struck down. Now no tax penalty for not buying it. This goes further to just take the whole thing away. Trump wanted better more affordable as prices kept rising. But he really didn't know the US Congress. They did nothing on what Trump spoke of. He can't do anything. Only congress can legislate. When's the last time they really worked for us? I say put them or us on the same plan.
[–] ChiefMAGA ago
Asshole Ohole created a tax. Unfuckingbelieveable. Another tax to feed the elites basically. How screwed up is this shit. Worst deal ever. Keep Gov out of healthcare.
[–] stature ago
I read the dem tweets in response to the President's tweet on this. They are BLAMING the President for ruining their O-care by removing the tax. In crazy world dems WANT to be taxed