Breaking News: Florida Judge Strikes Down Obamacare Mandate

[one...two...tree 2,762]

How can you call it 2-2? The clinton version of healthcare insurance was a poor effort. This bill currently is a poor effort. The only other option is to go back to a horrible, corporate profit driven system. So I suppose by my count, it would be Corporate America 3, American Citizens 0.

2-2 = two judges have thrown out lawsuits, two judges have ruled the mandate unconstitutional.

The lawsuits are over the constitutionality of the individual mandate, which even conservative legal experts believe is within the legal jurisdiction of Congress.

As to whether the Affordable Care Act is worth its weight - I believe it is. While it is far from perfect, it will help millions of Americans who previous fell through the cracks (too poor to buy health insurance on their own, but making too much to qualify for state run health insurance such as Medicaid).

[The_Dude 1,142]

2-2 = two judges have thrown out lawsuits, two judges have ruled the mandate unconstitutional.

The lawsuits are over the constitutionality of the individual mandate, which even conservative legal experts believe is within the legal jurisdiction of Congress.

As to whether the Affordable Care Act is worth its weight - I believe it is. While it is far from perfect, it will help millions of Americans who previous fell through the cracks (too poor to buy health insurance on their own, but making too much to qualify for state run health insurance such as Medicaid).

Yes, increasing coverage is good. But at what cost? They can address the symptons with bandaids from not until eternity, but nothing will really change until you address the root of the problem, the insurance companies themselves.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Yes, increasing coverage is good. But at what cost? They can address the symptons with bandaids from not until eternity, but nothing will really change until you address the root of the problem, the insurance companies themselves.

I'd have to find the info, but from what I remember reading, the Affordable Care Act requires minimum percentages for how much of your premium goes towards actual care vs. profit. I'd love to see private insurance companies become extinct, but if we can get them to put their customers before profits, that's a huge step forward, IMO.

[mawilson 2,133]

Don't panic. Remember, the individual insurance mandate was originally a Republican idea, way back when Clinton was trying to get a healthcare bill passed. So far, the score 2-2. Two Democratically appointed judges threw out the lawsuits while two Republican appointees have ruled it unconstitutional. Even conservative legal experts have stated that the individual mandate is well within the jurisdiction of Congress. All of these state level rulings don't mean much as it will be the Supreme Court that ends up making the final decision and that may be years from now since the affordable healthcare act won't be full implemented until then.

The Supreme Court is more right-wing than ####### Cheney, if they end up making the final decision, you can kiss the healthcare law goodbye now.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Life justs get better and better.

[^_^ 5,021]

Life justs get better and better.

LA Times:

Vinson rejected a second claim by the states that the healthcare overhaul unlawfully forced them to expand their Medicaid insurance programs for the poor, another key part of the new law.

And he declined to stop implementation of the law, as the plaintiffs requested.

The news isn't all bad. The Medicaid expansion covers most of those who are at-risk. Also, his refusal to stop implementation is a clear signal that he doesn't believe this Act (despite his ruling) will be ruled unconstitutional in entirety.

[luckytxn 2,264]

The Supreme Court is more right-wing than ####### Cheney, if they end up making the final decision, you can kiss the healthcare law goodbye now.

Probably didn't help when Obama the Socialist called them out last year during the state of the union.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Probably didn't help when Obama the Socialist called them out last year during the state of the union.

Are you a juggalo by chance?

[lostinblue 1,989]

Don't panic. Remember, the individual insurance mandate was originally a Republican idea, way back when Clinton was trying to get a healthcare bill passed. So far, the score 2-2. Two Democratically appointed judges threw out the lawsuits while two Republican appointees have ruled it unconstitutional. Even conservative legal experts have stated that the individual mandate is well within the jurisdiction of Congress. All of these state level rulings don't mean much as it will be the Supreme Court that ends up making the final decision and that may be years from now since the affordable healthcare act won't be full implemented until then.

Quote:

In ruling against President Obama‘s health care law, federal Judge Roger Vinson used Mr. Obama‘s own position from the 2008 campaign against him, arguing that there are other ways to tackle health care short of requiring every American to purchase insurance.

“I note that in 2008, then-Senator Obama supported a health care reform proposal that did not include an individual mandate because he was at that time strongly opposed to the idea, stating that ‘if a mandate was the solution, we can try that to solve homelessness by mandating everybody to buy a house,’” Judge Vinson wrote in a footnote toward the end of the 78-page ruling Monday.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/31/judge-uses-obamas-words-against-him/

[DEDixon 39]

Quote:

In ruling against President Obama‘s health care law, federal Judge Roger Vinson used Mr. Obama‘s own position from the 2008 campaign against him, arguing that there are other ways to tackle health care short of requiring every American to purchase insurance.

“I note that in 2008, then-Senator Obama supported a health care reform proposal that did not include an individual mandate because he was at that time strongly opposed to the idea, stating that ‘if a mandate was the solution, we can try that to solve homelessness by mandating everybody to buy a house,’” Judge Vinson wrote in a footnote toward the end of the 78-page ruling Monday.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jan/31/judge-uses-obamas-words-against-him/

Ouch!

[DEDixon 39]

i don't know of one thing the gov't makes us purchase - nothing! i know of many things the gov't taxes us for then provides a service to us, however. Obama couldn't get the tax increase not only because of blue dog dems, but also because he pledged not to tax anyone making below 250K. so he and the dems did an end around - you must purchase health insurance. never ever ever has the gov't forced anyone to buy anything.

i like parts of the HC law, it isn't all bad, but the way it was done was wrong.

one particular thing i don't like about the law too - poor people, the ones who are perfectly content with being poor because they have grown accustom to gov't help getting yet another free ride. if they are found too poor to purchase HC insurance, they get help, they get a break, ticks me off.

[TBoneTX 45,329]

If people would stop and 'think' about legislation before passing it, we wouldn't have scenarios like this.

What is with this outrageous -- nay, borderline-treasonable prattle? They have to pass the bill so that we can know what is in it! Thus spaketh Nancy.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Im so glad I am able to take care of myself! Gee I was beginning to think I was dependent.

[TBoneTX 45,329]

Im so glad I am able to take care of myself! Gee I was beginning to think I was dependent.

Si, Comrade? Big Brother must re-educate you.

[luckytxn 2,264]

Quote:

In ruling against President Obama's health care law, federal Judge Roger Vinson used Mr. Obama's own position from the 2008 campaign against him, arguing that there are other ways to tackle health care short of requiring every American to purchase insurance.

"I note that in 2008, then-Senator Obama supported a health care reform proposal that did not include an individual mandate because he was at that time strongly opposed to the idea, stating that 'if a mandate was the solution, we can try that to solve homelessness by mandating everybody to buy a house,'" Judge Vinson wrote in a footnote toward the end of the 78-page ruling Monday.

http://www.washingto...ds-against-him/

Kinda being an Ahole here. Not was he content on just his ruling but he went and decided to kick Obama the Socialist in the balls.

I like him.