Was the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States fully? Why (based on what constitutional principle)? The United States Department of Health & Human Services states that the Affordable Care Act was passed by Congress and then signed into law by the President on March 23, 2010 (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services). On June 28, 2012 the Supreme Court of the United States made a ruling on the claim initiated by the National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (Obama Care Facts).
The Affordable Care Act was largely upheld by the Supreme Court. The court ruled in this part the following: “ it is reasonable to construe what Congress has done as increasing taxes on those who have a certain amount of income but choose to go without health insurance. Such legislation is within Congress’s power to tax.” (Supreme Court of the United States 58). In other words, this decision means that the Act has been passed within Congress’s constitutional enumeration of powers. Thus, Article1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution lays down that “the Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises” (Cornell University Law School).
Was any part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act struck down? Why (based on what constitutional principle)? The Affordable Care Act was struck down in part of Medicaid expansion because it violated the Constitution “by threating existing Medicaid funding” (58). The court ruled on this issue in the following way: “Congress has no authority to order the States to regulate according to its instructions.” So, the expansion of Medicaid undermined the discretionary powers of the States.
Is Obamacare a success or a failure? Why? Answering this question requires to also take into account practical effects of this law, not just legal matters. The American people are divided into three groups on this issue. Democrats love it. Republicans hate it. Libertarians do not like it, either. Obamacare is driving insurance rates up, which is bad. Although, many people who were previously uninsured, have been able to get the insurance coverage. The middle class is likely to be hurt by this health care reform. So, the answer to this question depends on everyone’s own political and economic position. In the majority of cases, every reform proves to have its pros and cons. I think only time will be able to answer the aforementioned question completely and honestly.
Works Cited
Cornell University Law School. "U.S. Constitution." N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlei>.
Obama Care Facts (dyspelling the myths). "Supreme Court ObamaCare | Ruling on ObamaCare." Supreme Court ObamaCare | Ruling on ObamaCare. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://obamacarefacts.com/supreme-court-obamacare.php>.
Supreme Court of the United States. "National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, 567 U.S._____ (2012)." (n.d.): 1-65. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. <http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf>.
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. "Read the Law." United States Department of Health and Human Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Oct. 2014. <http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/law/index.html>.
