The Affordable Care Act’s individual coverage mandate was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge in Texas, who said Friday that as a result, the rest of the law cannot stand as well.
Although legal experts stress Americans’ health coverage won’t be immediately affected, the invalidation throws into doubt the future of health coverage for millions of them on the Obamacare exchanges and in Medicaid expansion. A number of states led by California have also vowed to appeal the ruling.
The developments, along with the expected appeal, once again put the fate of Obamacare in question. Republicans have long been seeking to repeal the law which is now likely to be decided on in the Supreme Court.
Back in 2012 Chief Justice John Roberts cast the deciding vote leaving the law intact, but considering the changes made to the individual mandate in 2017, it is unclear how justices will vote this time, CNN writes.
President Donald Trump vowed during his campaign that he would undo the law and Friday’s ruling was immediately followed by a celebratory tweet from him, urging Congress to act.
“As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster! Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions. Mitch and Nancy, get it done!” the President wrote.
In a later tweet he said the ruling of Obamacare unconstitutional was “great news for America.”
Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi quickly responded by pointing out that the chamber will intervene in the case and deeming the decision “cruel.”
“Republicans are fully responsible for this cruel decision and for the fear they have struck into millions of families across America who are now in danger of losing their health coverage,” her statement said. “When House Democrats take the gavel, the House of Representatives will move swiftly to formally intervene in the appeals process to uphold the life-saving protections for people with pre-existing conditions and reject Republicans’ effort to destroy the Affordable Care Act.”
Over 4 million U.S. citizens have already signed up for 2019 coverage and the judge’s ruling threatens to wipe away the Affordable Care Act’s protections for those of them with pre-existing conditions.
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