A Texas judge struck down the Affordable Care Act this week, better known as Obamacare.
U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled in favor of a Republican state-led effort to have the law repealed. O’Connor ruled in favor of the Republican states, saying that the law was upheld in 2012, with the mandate being called a “tax,” not a “fine,” but lawmakers repealed the tax in 2017. O’Connor ruled the tax measure is “essential” to the entirety of the Affordable Care Act, and, therefore, the whole law is invalid without the tax provision.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, one of the leaders behind the lawsuit, said he agreed with the ruling in a statement.
“Today’s ruling halts an unconstitutional exertion of federal power over the American healthcare system,” Paxton said. “Our lawsuit seeks to effectively repeal Obamacare, which will give President Trump and Congress the opportunity to replace the failed social experiment with a plan that ensures Texans and all Americans will again have greater choice about what health coverage they need and who will be their doctor.”
President Donald Trump weighed in on the ruling via Twitter, saying it is “Great news for America.” Senator Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, also weighed in, saying the judge rendered an “awful ruling” and said the ruling could lead to a “disaster” for American families.
The ruling is expected to be sent to the U.S. Supreme Court.
