US federal judge rules Obamacare is unconstitutional
- In a win for Donald Trump, predecessor’s controversial health care policy deemed invalid due to a change in tax laws
A US federal judge in Texas ruled on Friday that the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, is unconstitutional, a decision that was likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court.
US District Judge Reed O’Connor in Fort Worth agreed with a coalition of 20 states that a change in tax law last year eliminating a penalty for not having health insurance invalidated the entire Obamacare law.
The news was celebrated by US President Donald Trump soon after it broke.
“As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster!” he wrote on Twitter. “Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions. Mitch and Nancy, get it done!”
For emphasis, he followed that up with a similar tweet minutes later, ending it with: “Great news for America!”
O’Connor’s decision was issued the day before the end of a 45-day sign-up period for 2019 health coverage under the law.
