When Supreme Court decision makes critical ruling on an issue for the benefit of the population or citizens, it shows that the constitutional powers vested in the courts are channeled in to ensuring a better nation in the making. The Supreme Court recently upheld Obama health care law indicating that it is an important prerequisite to a secured insurance as per the Congress taxing authority. This was a landmark ruling that ended a two-year lawsuit that had subsequently engaged the politics of America. The article highlights the main significance of the health care system as being able to roll out medical insurance to about thirty million Americans. In addition, the care system facilitates the synchronization of state run insurance practices thus, avoiding most of the inappropriate practices in this sector.
The article critically analyzes the basis of the Supreme Court’s decision. From the ruling, some sections of the Obama law were consequently limited. The court bared the sections of the arguing that it is coercive and illegal for States not to expand Medicaid coverage to other new beneficiaries. The Attorney general held the moment of decision by stating that the federal government lacks the mandate to force people to buy health insurance or alternatively, the federal government lacks the power to tax the citizens without health insurance (Robert, 2012).
The chief justice on the verdict of the case affirmed the basis of the ruling being based on the rule of law and not on the fundamentals of the heath care legislation. The chief justice reiterated that it is not the function of the courts to protect individuals from their induced political consequences. Since they can be removed from the office in the event that citizens of the nation disagree with their views and choices.
However, there are critics of the law who wants it rejected in totality because it is an affront to peoples’ freedom. The critics believe that the Supreme Court had undermined the values that should have determined the current course towards understanding the implications of the law (Robert, 2012). Moreover, they protested that the commerce clause indeed does not give the Congress the authority and power to force purchasing of health insurance. Thus, the ruling undermined the legislative efforts to regulate the American economy in the interest of all workers who work hard to sustain the same economy.
After the bill was signed into law, numerous lawsuits challenged its legislative function. Such parties that challenged the law included state of Florida and other twenty-five and the National federation of Independent Business. Although the lawsuits were dismissed, they held that the Congress was assuming unlimited power and could dictate what Americans can purchase.
Finally, the chief justice concludes by saying that it is the duty of the court to uphold the various Acts of congress. To the critics the States must choose between enlarging the services and paying enormous sums to the Federal.
This article nevertheless relates to the course concepts in Slidlow and Henchen’s Govt4 Textbook. The key concepts from the textbook are based on American National Government. The foundations of The American system in part one of the textbook particularly on the constitution. The Patient protection and affordable care Act advocates for health insurance for all American applicants regardless of gender or any pre-existing conditions (Pipes, 2010). The constitution of America aims at protecting all her citizens and this Act aims towards creating an affordable healthcare for all citizens.
Secondly, the judiciary as an autonomous institution assists in shaping the economical development of a nation by ruling out on vital cases. Even though, the court ruled that the Obama care violated the Congress’s Commerce article of power, the Chief Justice restructured the statute for the law to stand under the Congress’s authority to tax. We can learn that the judicial role involves striking down a law, and subsequent following on their oath in order to protect the American constitution. Through judicial review as presented by the Chief justice, the courts are able to evaluate vital laws and with the powers vested in them, they evaluate various actions of the government to access whether they are constitutional (Sidlow, Edward and Beth Henschen, 2011).
It is worth pointing out that the constitutional of America strive to protect all its citizens through the enactments of various laws drawn by various policy members. The Obama care is one of those laws signed in to law to improve on Americas Medicare and in turn safeguard all the citizen.
References
Pipes, S. (2010). The truth about Obamacare. Washington, DC: Regnery Pub.
Sidlow, Edward and Beth Henschen 2011. GOVT 4, 4nd edition. Wadsworth.
Robert Barnes. 28 June 2012. Supreme Court upholds Obama’s health-care law. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-to-rule-thursday-on-health-care law/2012/06/28/gJQAarRm8V_story.html
