Friday, April 22, 2011

Spiral of death for Obama's Health Care Reform?

Today a Florida Federal Judge ruled as unconstitutional the Health Care Reform law signed by the President on March of last year. This is the second ruling by a federal judge against the reform. Nonetheless, three other federal judges have upheld the constitutionality of the health overhaul's individual mandate.

In the Florida's court decision, Judge Vinson writes:
"... I must reluctantly conclude that Congress exceeded the bounds of its authority in passing the Act with the individual mandate. That is not to say, of course, that Congress is without power to address the problems and inequities in our health care system. The health care market is more than one sixth of the national economy, and without doubt Congress has the power to reform and regulate this market. That has not been disputed in this case. The principal dispute has been about how Congress chose to exercise that power here.
Because the individual mandate is unconstitutional and not severable, the entire Act must be declared void."
However, I believe, that even when Congress can't force you to buy insurance, it can certainly impose a health tax which we may end up paying after all. On the other hand, based on other type of compulsory insurance and the rulings in favor of the reform, the conclusion is still to be seen.

References:
First Read NBC News
Judge Upholds Health Law's Insurance Coverage Requirement
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Did Obama's health care bill pass?

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