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Summary
- In a 7-2 ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court observed the petitioners had no legal standing to file the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act.
- Republicans questioned the legality of a key proviso and sought to know if it was unconstitutional and, if it is so, whether the legislation should be scrapped.
In a significant decision, the US Supreme Court has rejected a fresh challenge to the Affordable Care Act by the Republicans backed by former president Donald Trump to annul the legislation.
It was the third attempt to overturn the landmark healthcare law since its enactment in 2010.
In a 7-2 ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court observed the petitioners had no legal standing to file the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Affordable Care Act. Obamacare has enabled millions of Americans to obtain medical insurance coverage through public and private insurers.
Republicans questioned the legality of a key proviso and sought to know if it was unconstitutional and, if it is so, whether the legislation should be scrapped.
President Joe Biden lauded the Supreme Court decision. In a Twitter post, he termed the verdict as a big win for the American people. Obamacare was a signature domestic policy achievement for former president Barrack Obama’s administration, in which Biden had served as vice president.
Justice Stephen Breyer authored the majority opinion on Thursday.
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Source: Pixabay.
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Opposition To Obamacare
Obamacare became increasingly popular in recent years, although it had initially divided public opinion. The legislation survived several legal challenges since its passage in 2010.
The latest challenge was brought by a group of states led by Texas. However, some 20 states, including California and New York, defended the law in court.
Millions of Americans benefited from Obamacare, and Thursday’s decision firmly guarantees that protection in the years to come, New York Attorney General Letitia James said after the ruling.
Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch disagreed with the ruling.
The Supreme Court had rejected Republican challenges to Obamacare on two earlier occasions - in 2012 and 2015. In February, the Biden administration had urged the top court to uphold the law.
