Daily Digest

Federal Judge Reed O’Connor Rules ObamaCare Unconstitutional, Democrats Vow to Appeal

In a lawsuit led by a conservative coalition of state Attorney Generals, U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor ruled in a surprise decision Friday night that the Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as ObamaCare, is unconstitutional, threatening a decade-long stint of progress to make health care more affordable for all Americans.

Friday’s announcement came as a surprise to many including those within President Donald Trump’s own administration which had previously asked O’Connor to wait until after the ACA’s open enrollment period had ended, before announcing a final decision. Following the judge’s ruling administration officials and key agencies scrambled to release statements.


The case, which is bound for the Supreme Court and it’s new conservative majority, threatens efforts for future expansion of Medicaid, rescinds penalties for poorly performing hospitals, as well as threatening any efforts by the Trump administration to fulfill its own plans for lowering drug prices. The ruling would nullify reforms already in-progress as well, such as the testing of new models for making it easier to pay Medicare for services rendered, among others.

Democrats are already gearing up for a fight, though largely symbolic, with House Democratic leaders planning to file a motion to intervene in January when they return to the chamber in the majority.

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Aside from legislators, California’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra confirmed he would appeal Friday’s ruling, as well, keeping the law in place while the legal battle plays out, with other Democratic-led states vowing to do the same. It’s not clear how soon they will act.


 

 

Earlier this year attorneys for the Department of Justice were ordered to abandon all efforts for defending the ACA, prompting the resignation of one of the department’s senior attorneys and another three who chose to remove their names instead, from the official government briefing.

 

Eric Silverman

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Trump Watches SpaceX Launch Alongside Elon Musk & Ted Cruz

https://youtube.com/shorts/YVrfbMZSVRE?feature=share US President-elect Donald Trump drew cheers as he arrived in Texas on Nov. 19 to watch…

2 days ago

Foreign Policy Experts Voice Concern About Trump’s Nomination Of Tulsi Gabbard For Director Of National Intelligence

After President-elect Donald Trump selected Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, as his nominee for…

3 days ago

Trump’s Pick Of Vaccine-Skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Alarms Scientific Community

President-elect Donald Trump's announcement that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will be his pick for Department…

4 days ago

VIDEO: President-Elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk & Cabinet Picks Attend UFC Fight In NYC, Crowd Chants “USA”

https://youtube.com/shorts/6CUvTmS87UM?feature=share President-elect Donald Trump arrived to cheers at an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in…

4 days ago

Trump Pick Of Matt Gaetz For Attorney General Sends Shock Waves Through Capitol

President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) as his attorney general has sent shockwaves through…

5 days ago

VIDEO: Fights Break Out In Stand During France-Israel Match

https://youtube.com/shorts/TD8RNJl-NBk A fight broke out in one of the stands at the Stade de France…

5 days ago