The Doctor Is In

The Supreme Court ruled this past week that the Affordable Care Act can stand without the penalty that the Republicans repealed, as the law as it now reads in not unconstitutional.  

It seems that when Congress got rid of the penalty, it also got rid of its opponents' argument for killing it.  The 7-2 majority (yes, a 7-2 majority!), in an opinion written by Justice Stephen Breyer, found that because there is no penalty, it does not cause harm to those who have a problem with a law making health care affordable and accessible for so many millions of American citizens.  Even Justice Clarence Thomas, who personally dislikes the law, said the suit against it didn't pass muster.  (Justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito, who made the argument that the Affordable Care Act put too much of a burden on the sates, were the two dissenters.)  There was also likely a political reason for this decision as well - because no one wants to take away people's inexpensive medical insurance in the middle of a pandemic.  

Chief Justice John Roberts, when he was confirmed in 2005, said he saw his role as a judge as someone who called balls and strikes.  Well, the Supreme Court just ruled on the Affordable Care Act for the third time - to its detractors, I say, "Three strikes and you're out!" 😛 

And with that out of the way, we can now celebrate Juneteenth with great relief. 😃