A federal judge today struck down U.S. President Barack Obama’s controversial ObamaCare law, declaring parts of the health care bill unconstitutional. More specifically, the judge sided with 20 states – including Georgia – in ruling that Obama can’t force Americans to buy health insurance if they don’t want it.
U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson agreed with the states that the new law violates people’s rights by forcing them to buy health insurance by 2014 or face penalties. He went a step further than a previous ruling against the law, declaring the entire thing unconstitutional if the insurance requirement does not hold up.
Attorneys for the administration had argued that the states did not have standing to challenge the law and that the case should be dismissed.
Justice Department spokeswoman Tracy Schmaler said Monday the department strongly disagrees with Vinson’s ruling and intends to appeal.
“There is clear and well-established legal precedent that Congress acted within its constitutional authority in passing this law and we are confident that we will ultimately prevail on appeal,” she said in a statement.
Thank Goodness! I plan on working in the health care field. This would make salaries lower, and the quality of care lower as well. Who would want to spend 15 years pursing to be a Doctor, and not have there salary reflect it.
And the good part is Obama won’t fight the Republicans too hard on this issue if he wants to be reelected.
I think Americans need a health care plan like we have here in the UK….your health bills are just so damn expensive , it affects your overall incomes…. everyone should have access to healthcare
This will just go to the Supreme Court and they will rule constitutional the same way your required to have car insurance, home owners insurance, its no diffrent. I pay and arm and leg for health insurance mostly due to people who dont have it and use the ER for treatment!
Conservative judicial activism..who would have thunk it?
Hell, I don’t mind paying more in taxes if it helps others! I SUPPORT MY PRESIDENT!!!
Sandra, calm down.
Car insurance is mandated on a state level, not federally. Besides that fact, driving is a voluntary function, if you don’t want to buy car insurance you can opt not to drive. For those who don’t mind paying more taxes, that’s fine. Write your bigger check direct to the gov’t and let me keep mine, thank you very much.
stunnaz says:
I think Americans need a health care plan like we have here in the UK….your health bills are just so damn expensive , it affects your overall incomes…. everyone should have access to healthcare
I concer. My old boss was British and he got a kick out of our “nightly drug commercials” that run every other minute. Only in America!
concur
BusyBee, I feel you. I just know alot of people that need health care. I know some dead folks that might have been here now only if they had access to health care.
Sandra,
Who did you vote for? I’m just curious..
(don’t
me)
I agree ppl w/o health ins run up ER cost and that falls on the states and takes money out of their pockets or force county hospitals to close. If you told ppl no ins meant NO SERVICE everybody would be singing a different tune.
We need the same health care as congress
Drug companies make a killing so do health ins companies they get over like a FAT rat
@yallcrazy,
There are several options available for those people w/o access. Medi-care, Medi-caid, and state sanctioned high-risk pools all come to mind.
@Daisy
A little competition across state lines would bring down costs much faster than any government legislation. As for the un-insured running up ER costs, the majority of those cases are illegal aliens. I can agree that problem needs to be addressed.
*blank stare*
Bee, not all fit into those categories. Your state probably deals with more aliens than any other. I’m in Chicago, it’s not them that in the ER,(too scared to get deported)it’s everybody and their momma up in there. Not every sick person needs an ER, they need to be able to go to a doctors office and get preventive care and health education.
We could discuss immigration policy, or lack thereof, all night long.
@yallcrazy you can pay mine,…..and my tuition if your feeling generous.
@yallcrazy,
No everyone doesn’t fit these categories, but the few who don’t can be cared for without the Federal gov’t taking over 1/5 of the economy. These matters should be handled at the state level. If your state doesn’t have the care or options you desire you have mobility. Centralizing power with the Federal gov’t, especially on something like personal health, is insane. Where would one seek out alternatives? Why do you think the UK, and Canada are now looking to scale back their systems to keep from going completely broke?
RealAsh, if I could I would, but I can’t so we don’t and won’t have to worry about that
I’m too busy footing my own!
LA, it was my understanding that you couldn’t purchase the “care” across state lines. Is that not that case?
Just chiming in:
It’s not (just) the illegal immigrants using the ER as a means of receiving medical care. Although that may be a big factor where I live (south Texas), for those living up north it’s just people who can’t afford it.
And even though there are programs offered by the government (Medicaid) to offer temporary health insurance, some people make TOO much to be considered for that and don’t make ENOUGH in order to pay for their own insurance. And also, I know first hand that the doctors that offer services for patients with Medicaid are NOT exactly the greatest. (Probably some of the worst.)
I think the Health Care Bill was a bit rushed through the legislative process and could use some work, but I understand why Obama wanted it to get passed now and not later. There’s still room to make changes and make the bill work better. It’s a win-win for the entire country.
There will just be a few tweaks and this will eventually be passed in some measure.
Racketeers“Healthcare companies” have been robbing people blind unimpeded for decades and EVERYONE pays for it. Ideally, there would be more government OVERSIGHT limiting certain things and creating a more competetive business environment, which would eventually lower cost.SMH. The best thing for people to do is to try and stay healthy.
The UK will never cut NHS spending..that is just political talk…Health spending is amongst the most protected department in the UK…The UK right now is experiencing a lot of cuts in a lot of things including education but the one thing they haven’t cut is health spending…It just would not work..In real terms spending in NHS will always increase.
Just ask yourself where does all your tax money go….defence, media and sport…I think it’s silly the amount they spent on these things???do you know how much money they use in defence every year??? Even here in the UK money spent on defence is ridiculous
BusyBeeLA says:
Car insurance is mandated on a state level, not federally. Besides that fact, driving is a voluntary function, if you don’t want to buy car insurance you can opt not to drive. For those who don’t mind paying more taxes, that’s fine. Write your bigger check direct to the gov’t and let me keep mine, thank you very much.
_____________________
Somewhere right now….Candi is losin it!
glitter and chit all over…screamin and chit
El is on Centric
yallcrazy says:
LA, it was my understanding that you couldn’t purchase the “care” across state lines. Is that not that case?
Yes that was my original point. Making it available to buy across state lines would be a getter solution.
Man, I just don’t care™ says:
There will just be a few tweaks and this will eventually be passed in some measure.
Racketeers “Healthcare companies” have been robbing people blind unimpeded for decades and EVERYONE pays for it. Ideally, there would be more government OVERSIGHT limiting certain things and creating a more competetive business environment, which would eventually lower cost.
Sorry Man,
To quote an article I once read, if you want to punish the insurance companies make them compete. More regulation just means fewer companies will be able to overcome the stifling regulations, and government grows larger and more expensive. Meanwhile the big boys have a virtual monopoly in whichever states they operate, since they little guy has been taken out for him, not allowed to compete. Right now you only have three or four choices in some states. Why not 100? Wouldn’t prices be forced to go down? Wouldn’t insurance companies be compelled to provide better products lest they be beat by their competition?
oops, better.
And some Judges say that is constitutional…..so this judge words isn’t the last say… Its gonna go to the Supreme Court. I mean i think its a great plan. Im sure once it actually takes place, some adjustments will be needed, but too many Americans will benefit from this plan.
#TeamObama ….
So all I wanna know is….when will they stop taking so much out of my check for this insurance? They took out an add’l $20 this year on me, and I’m single
That arizona congresswomen is doing so well thanks to healthcare WE paying for.
if bush had introduced the the healthcare bill, it wouldve went through already. Obama cant get nothing done
aas far as medicaid, you have to be piss poor, to get it, its a large group of americans that make too much for any public assistance but cant afford healthcare (at my old job i was hurting with the 100+ a check that was took out of my check) all these insurances are so high, i keep being late on my auto insurance just to pay everything else
but what obama doing is sooooooooooo wrong..gtfoh
Health Insurance needs adjustments its clear and as long as its out of control the way it is Our National Debt will never go down, I used Car Insurance as an example becuase thats what the judge broke down like, you cant force people to by health insurance,we already do, when you get a job you dont leave orientation without picking a plan, it an unwritten rule that you are already forced to by health insurance, The Health Insurance Mandate Just makes it law that Everyone has access to affordable health insurance regaurdless of your means. I would like to know that if I ever lose my job there is still health insurance out there for me, right now theirs nothing but Cobra and extension of the benefits you had with your job that you may have lost. I work for the Dept of Veterans affairs and my dept spends millions a month to pay for vets who dont have health insurance. Trust me the country needs it..side bar how do I put up a pic
Hmmm, it seems like the people who absolutely do not favor the health care bill either has been employed at a company that has always offered insurance or has never had any serious health issues. One thing that I do believe should change with the bill is that there should be an option to opt out for those who don’t want to be part of it. I for one am glad for it. I work in a small law firm that does not offer health insurance and since I’m under the age of 26, I was able to get back on my dad’s insurance due to this bill. Beforehand when I attempted to obtain my own insurance I was unable to due to a “preexisting” condition and I made “too much” to qualify for public assistance.
The health care bill is a good bill it just needs revisions, of course the haves dont want to risk being have nots so they fight this tooth and nail. I am sorry but I pay alot of money for health insurance and the one time I needed assistance in the emergency room I used my health care and the Hospital Still charged my over $1000 for a visit!!!!! Only in this country do we place Doctors on this pedestal that they are supposed to be millionaires by the time they retire….I have a friend who actually lives in California but she is not from America and she notices how greedy physicians are here. Also in other countries to be a Doctor means you help irregardless of financial advantages. Damn people dont want to go to the hospital when they get sick because even after they go they are still stressed because of the high ass bill they have to pay…..So Viva Health Care Bill…….Viva Obama LOL
Miss_Net says:
One thing that I do believe should change with the bill is that there should be an option to opt out for those who don’t want to be part of it.
___________________
I totally agree. This is America and people should not be forced to buy something they don’t want. Everyone gripes about the greedy insurance companies, but this bill actually benefits the insurance industry more than it does the people.
The bill needs to be adjusted but EVERYBODY deserves healthcare. I think there should be a provision to allow those who DON’T want healthcare to opt out, but other than that- everybody should have access to AFFORDABLE healthcare!
The ONLY gripe I have about this bill is that I wholeheartedly do not want this bill to cover illegals. Sorry. But illegals do NOT pay taxes, as most work under the table, so they’d be making money, then going to hospitals, etc., and taxpayers would still cover the bill.
I think immigration reform needs to happen more than this bill. But I feel that if you aren’t contributing to the “pot”, you should not be able to eat from it. Just my two cents.
This is so sad. There is not one time, in my lifetime, that I can remember when a president that I voted for, has taken an initiative to try and do something about our health and well being as a country. I rarely get sick BUT I have ALWAYS made sure that I had health insurance for me and my family “just in case”. Same goes for my car insurance or home insurance. You have it, “just in case” and not only that, when something DOES go haywire, aren’t you glad you had it to begin with?!
Sandra what is your opinion on the turmoil over in Egypt?
@ SASO you right you right
Illegals Immigrants should not be included. Immigrationg Reform should be just as important as this Healthcare Bill
I totally agree. This is America and people should not be forced to buy something they don’t want. Everyone gripes about the greedy insurance companies, but this bill actually benefits the insurance industry more than it does the people.
It helps everyone, you dont beleive it helps everyone becuase of the messenger, if this were Hillary Clinton propising the same exact thing people would think she’s saving their lives, its not the plan its the fact that its a black man or our first mixed president as you would say Sandra, proposing it. Most ideas in their are republican Ideas and it stays in line with out alleged free market society.
What should be done with the people who opt out and get in a car accident/shot/dx with cancer or some other life threatning illness who should pay for their medical coverage then? #justasking
as far as illegal immigration I say make them all legal and keep it moving cause they aren’t going back home and I can’t say I blame them after doing a missions trip in the slums of Mexico (yes there are other illegals as well). Some illegals do pay taxes as well fyi. I also feel if Mexicans live and stay here illegally so should Haitins make all legal and pay into the system.
@Daisy
Haitians, Mexicans, Spaniards, Egyptians, whatever. If you are getting paid under the table (as most are because they fear INS too much to go through the standardizrd hiring and tax process), then no, my tax dollars should NOT cover you!
I didn’t specify my comment to just the Mexicans, I said “illegals” and that’s what I meant- all of them!
As for people who opt out….well….they opted out. If you opt out of car insurance and you get in a wreck and total your car, no automobile company steps in and offers to make you whole for free. You pay for the wreck out of your own pocket and you probably lost a car.
I’m so tired of this mind-set in America that we need to ALL pay for others irresponsibility. It doesn’t work like that. If they make the healthcare affordable for you, and you still opt out, you just better hope your azz doesn’t need a doctor soon. We all make choices and as grown adults, we need to be able to live with them, or make better ones.
You know, I’d rather pay another 20-30 % in taxes if I can get free healthcare and other basic insurances taken care of. Because think about it, that’s where all your money is going. So you want less taxes, so you can have more money to go broke sooner. I really would they’d trash this whole “everybody needs to purchase healthcare bill” and just up every one taxes and make it free.
@sassy did I accuse you of saying Mexicans? My comment had nothing to do with yours. I have always felt and stated before that if mexicans can come here illegally so should Haitians since they are turned away soon as they hit the sands of MIA. That was my only point.
Miss_Net says:
One thing that I do believe should change with the bill is that there should be an option to opt out for those who don’t want to be part of it.
The problem with that is healthy people are needed in the pool to offset the medical costs of those with pre-existing conditions like you.
Also healthy people have accidents and when they don’t have insurance the rest of us who have insurance pay for it anyway.
I can’t understand why someone WOULDN’T WANT health insurance if they can get it at an affordable rate.
I think ALL children should be covered and covered well. I send my kids to school healthy the other children at school should be healthy too. I don’t want mine coming back with oolah boolah virus because little Johnny’s momma smoked her insurance money.
As grown adults we can make decisions about ourselves but it is obvious that there are many parents that can’t take care of themselves much less their children.
Personally I think we as Americans are greedy and selfish . We want what we want when we want it and f the next guy. Doesn’t this health insruance crap work in other countries. Why can’t it work here??
“if this were Hillary Clinton propising the same exact thing people would think she’s saving their lives, its not the plan its the fact that its a black man or our first mixed president as you would say Sandra, proposing it”
Umm hello? Do you not remember Hillary Care? Hillary was derided much the same way. The problem is not the messenger, the problem is that providing healthcare should not be in the hands of the Federal government. After the Tuskegee experiments I would think black people especially would want government as far away from our health as possible.
Americans are not greedy or selfish, we give more to charity and aid to other countries than any nation. I already pay 35% of my income to the Feds and 10% to my state, plus sales taxes of 10%. That’s more than HALF my income to taxes. Then whatever the government gets, it WASTES more than half. Did you know that private charities on average give .90 on the dollar to the end user, whereas government only gives .29? That means 71 percent is WASTED before it gets to any needy person. So now we hand over 1/5 of the economy to them? GTFOH!
Its a republican/democrat thing, if BUSH had did this it wouldve passed lickety-split
Thats cause Bush would have paid for it to pass just like he did his votes to get into office.
While yes some Americans give and give there are a lot more that don’t give anything. Yeah you pay taxes that’s not a gift thats a must.
Some of ya’ll at just not using your brain!. I work in healthcare and i believe EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IT!!!!! If people could afford healthcare then the cost would go down. people wouldn’t have to sue their dr for neg because their dr preform the right procedures because they knew they were getting paid for their educated guess. My bf goes to the ER just to get an inhaler for his asthma when he should be going to his PCP. So i put him on my insurance thru my job because i care about his health. Everybody complaining about money but what if you family member like your mom, dad, brother, sister, or kids got sick and didn’t have healthcare and the hospital just let them DIE? You would be thinking didferently. LIFE IS A RIGHT TO HAVE A HEALTHY ONE!
**Sorry for the typos i am suppose to be working at my healthcare job. lol
I wonder how many people that are fighting this do not have health insurance, do not receive veteran benefits, or are not receiving medicaid. “Get your govt hands off my medicare!” LOL Everyone should be required to have health insurance. WHy wouldnt this be a requirement? It doesnt infringe on any freedoms etc. I mean r u any less free since u r not allowed to murder?
By the way, the constitution was not handed down by God and is perfect. The constitution has been amended to correct its falacies.