The Supreme Court, by a 5-4 margin, sidesteps the Commerce Clause debate and validates the individual mandate as a constitutional exercise of Congress’ taxing power.
As a result, almost all of the act is upheld, thanks to Chief Justice Roberts siding with the majority. But by saving the law through the taxation argument, the court sidesteps endorsing an expansion of the commerce clause.
Fancy judicial footwork by the chief justice, I’d say.
The four justices in the minority wanted to toss the whole thing out, which again speaks to the role that the chief justice played. He wasn’t willing to go there — too radical an outcome for him, apparently — and he found a way to avoid it.
In fact, the deeper I read in the opinion and the dissents, the more apparent it is that Roberts undertook a major rescue operation. He was not willing to let the court take what he deemed to be a radical, even partisan course that would undermine its institutional credibility.
This ruling is as much about protecting the court’s integrity as it is about interpreting the law.
Here’s the core of what justices Scalia, Kennedy, Alito and Thomas said in dissent:
“The Act before us here exceeds federal power both in mandating the purchase of health insurance and in denying nonconsenting States all Medicaid funding. These parts of the Act are central to its design and operation, and all the Act’s other provisions would not have been enacted without them. In our view it must follow that the entire statute is inoperative.”
The court majority also endorsed language expanding Medicaid in the states, although it prevents the federal government from pulling Medicaid money as punishment for states that choose not to go along. That’s the extent of the conservative “win” in the opinion.
No wonder Scalia was in such a foul mood earlier this week. I suspect that mood is going to last a good long time.
– Jay Bookman
1,313 comments Add your comment
Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people
June 28th, 2012
11:17 am
Layoffs will commence soon to adjust payroll costs to an affordable level
Bye bye jobs
Mishap
June 28th, 2012
11:17 am
So what precisely is the answer in repeal? I get you all hate the idea of taxes but poor and uninsured people already get plenty of free healthcare. They claim bankruptcy and go on their merry way. Hospitals simply pass that care onto you in the form of $20 Tylenol or a $5,000 bill for 3 stitches. At least this way, we’re trying to close the loop on people who skip insurance in their young/healthy years only to buy it when they’re old and in constant need.
People need to understand aging is an inevitability and insurance functions only when there are healthy people in the pool.
Cammi317
June 28th, 2012
11:17 am
*arguments “about” raising taxes
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
“Afterall, he appointed the “compromising”, “nuanced”, and “fair” jurist, Roberts, to the supreme court”
heh
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
Aquagirl
“GA has not even began working on anything whatsoever, regarding the implementation
of “Obamacare”.”
Texas is in the same boat. Looks like they’ll have to opt for the gov’t telling them what to do, as that was the fallback option.
__________________________________________________________________
Mayans had it right. The Earth ended in 2012,
For the cons.
Steve Atl
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
Romney’s website is crashing due to all of the donations (including my own) after this decision…November 2012 will be interesting.
Brosephus™
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
Brosephus, you are correct but the cost has increased ten-fold
The costs were going to increase regardless to what the SCOTUS handed down today. As long as the middleman controls pricing, they’re gonna keep squeezing both sides to keep themselves profitable. Honestly, I don’t understand why either side was ready to celebrate this ruling. Either way, we’re still f**ked. Now, we’re just being prostituted to the private sector by the government. I understand it was a well-intentioned idea. I just don’t think it was the right way to do it.
As it is, I’ll still have my insurance costs deducted from my paycheck as usual. My premium is up almost 300% since 2005, and I don’t expect it to suddenly flatten out now. I’ll do as always and adjust expenses in other areas.
JamVet
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
Great picture on CNN right now.
In all the hubbub it might be lost, but this decision is a huge blow against the GOP’s War on Women.
Right on…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miZWYmxr8XE
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
Hey, Republicans were correct, too!
Ten years ago.
The individual mandate IS constitutional.
You think they’d be thrilled to be validated.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
“Conservatives …………. if you feel bad today, think how you will feel if Obama gets in again ! WORK HARD !”
and clap if you believe!!!
ty webb
June 28th, 2012
11:18 am
“That cost gets passed on to me.”
and it will continue to be.
PJ
June 28th, 2012
11:19 am
Because I’m healthy…
That reminds me of the Twilight Zone episode when the old women was afraid to leave her house because she thought death was outside but it came inside and got her anyway.
DebbieDoRight - Chocolate Coverered, Freak And Habit Forming
June 28th, 2012
11:19 am
Hi Paul!!
Paul: I’m almost tempted to tune into Rush today….
I’m listening to Bortz — he’s foaming at the mouth!!! He’s two words short of advocating taking up arms and forcibily taking over the government! It’s so sad. Funny as hell that his “assumptions” got b&&tch slapped the way they did, but sad too.
It’s allright to say “I don’t agree with the policies of htis administiration”. but when you start advocating taking up arms, methinks Bortz is suffering from the same malady that hit both of his parents. Alzheimers.
Good thing he’s retiring this year. Mr. 9-9-9 Will be taking over for Bortz — I plan to call in regularly and punk him out just for the fun of it!!!
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
June 28th, 2012
11:19 am
“Well we have to pass it to see what’s in it”
The. Lie. That. Will. Not. Die.
Jay
June 28th, 2012
11:19 am
The deeper I read in the opinion and the dissents, the more apparent it is that Roberts undertook a major rescue operation. He was not willing to let the court take what he deemed to be a radical, even partisan course that would undermine its institutional credibility, so he found a way to avoid it.
This ruling is as much about protecting the court as about interpreting the law.
ken
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
More tax. Less to spend and save. What a country !!!!!!!!!!!
josef
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
I am assuming that all those celebrating have stock in the insurance companies? This is a “victory” for them, not us, imauo.
They BOTH suck
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
Joseph
Not in appearance but in your blogging persona, you remind me of the hairy dude that is on the Geico commercials
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPPfYKbO-1M
Brosephus™
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
shouldn’t Bush be given a little credit here…Afterall, he appointed the “compromising”, “nuanced”, and “fair” jurist, Roberts, to the supreme court.
Isn’t it beyond time to stop blaming Bush??
//sarc//
St Simons - he-ne-ha
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
and the Age continues to change, just as the Elders predicted.
from ‘Ever man fer hisself, yer on your own’ to
“We’re All in This Together”
jeebus, you’d think they’d get it by now. Learn it, or get Left Behind.
There is no Future in the Past.
GT
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
I am not sure the American people don’t want this the way it is.
The people I talk to that are against it really don’t know what was in the law. The Supreme Court hearing has done more to unbiasedly distribute pure information on this law than any news service has offered in three years. There is a hole in the health care industry, and they have been trying to fix it since Truman. It has gotten worse every year and no one had the political clout or courage or character to fix it. A huge headwind was the misinformation given by its opponents to the American public.
Obama will be one of the greatest presidents of all time. Even the economy got good news with housing starts yesterday.
TiredOfIt
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
The right-wingers upset with this decision are a small minority of republicans. So their opinion doesn’t mean much. They just take Rush and the rest of talkers way to seriously. After all they are only entertainers.
Matti
June 28th, 2012
11:20 am
Indeed! Yes, by all means TAX the people who drive up both the costs of heath services and insurance premiums for the rest of us because they like to gamble and then rely on somebody else to cover life-saving medical treatment for which they chose to be unprepared.
Talking Head
June 28th, 2012
11:21 am
“Well we have to pass it to see what’s in it”
The. Lie. That. Will. Not. Die.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV-05TLiiLU
Jm-pass TSPLOST silly people
June 28th, 2012
11:21 am
“soon” meaning in the years after small biz gets hit with the requirements
Oh, and more people are about to get dumped off corporate health plans too
Have fun folks
Jefferson
June 28th, 2012
11:21 am
Time for Congress to make improvements. If the GOP will get off their butt.
Oscar
June 28th, 2012
11:21 am
This is a big victory for conservatives and GOP. This plan was their idea. Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich came up with the plan and it was adopted and upheld.
ld
June 28th, 2012
11:21 am
Is a “penalty” a “tax” or a (criminal) fine.
If the “penalty” is a tax, then is the “mandate” actually NOT authorized?
Does the Roberts’ decision that upheld Obamacare on the basis of “tax” authority actually intend or just sound like it intends to authorize insurance companies to now have government’s “taxing” authority the way Georgia gave GA PWR the gov’t imminent domain authority?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 28th, 2012
11:21 am
“That reminds me of the Twilight Zone episode when the old women was afraid to leave her house because she thought death was outside but it came inside and got her anyway.”
LOVE that episode! one of my favorites
(and a VERY young and handsome Robert Redford played death!)
BILL
June 28th, 2012
11:21 am
Gail, the “tax” is not paid to a private company. The tax is paid to the IRS if you don’t get health insurance (i.e.-if you leach off others who are paying for healthcare). It’s my understanding that the only real way the IRS can collect is by keeping any tax refund–there’s no criminal penalty.
Welcome to the Occupation
June 28th, 2012
11:22 am
nemesis: “Taxes are paid to the government, not to private individuals or companies”
Wrong.
Tax revenues go into all manner of appropriations and subsidies to various favored interests, often private. Agricultural subsidies for example.
What would you say if I told you that we currently have a nanny state for various vested private/corporate interests?
Would you wave it away and cling to your “big spending LIBRUL” vs “low tax CONSURVITIVE” meme because that’s what Limbaugh keeps telling you?
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:22 am
Steve atl
Can you please explain how those who were outraged over Pres Obama’s directive regarding children of illegals because he didn’t uphold ALL the laws and he violated his oath of office can justify a Pres Romney issuing an order to repeal Obamacare without going thru the Legislative branch?
Boortz sounds unhinged. Gotta feel sorry for sick people.
JamVet
June 28th, 2012
11:22 am
“Bye bye jobs”
Love the faux outrage.
FORTY MILLION American jobs lost or shipped overseas since 1973 and NOW the corporatist neocons act concerned.
Republicans, get use to the pain, there is more of straight ahead for you…
ty webb
June 28th, 2012
11:23 am
josef,
let ‘em celebrate…in their minds, their “team” just scored a touchdown.
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:23 am
DDR
That ‘Boortz sounds unhinged. Gotta feel sorry for sick people.” was for you, of course!
SheezLoiuse
June 28th, 2012
11:23 am
OF course… THE MONEY GRAB NOW BY BECK!! lol DONATE, DONATE, DONATE!! what a scam!
From the Center
June 28th, 2012
11:23 am
Great news, when does the cost reduction part kick in?
TaxPayer
June 28th, 2012
11:23 am
Dang it! I was away when the ruling came down from the mountain top. How are the Republicans taking it. Has Jay implemented a moment of silence for the cons yet.
Finn McCool (The System Isn't Broken; It's Fixed ~ from an Occupy sign)
June 28th, 2012
11:23 am
From a postr on Kyle’s blog:
So it turns out Mitt’s health care plan is constitutional and he is against it
Ben Shockley
June 28th, 2012
11:24 am
“Chief Justice Roberts singlehandedly saves ObamaCare”
No big deal. President-elect Romney will just choose not to enforce it, juts as Obaam has done with immigration laws.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 28th, 2012
11:24 am
“I am assuming that all those celebrating have stock in the insurance companies? This is a “victory” for them, not us, imauo”
totally agree – which is why I laugh and laugh at the charges of “sociamalism” – it’s about the farthest thing from it possible
Brosephus™
June 28th, 2012
11:24 am
Jay
I’m intrigued now. I usually don’t get all gaga into the opinions, but that doesn’t surprise me at all about Roberts. For all that people on both sides say about him, he seems to be genuinely focused on doing what the court is supposed to do and trying to keep them from venturing off course. I kinda got that feeling when he brought Scalia back into focus from his meandering during the oral arguments.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
June 28th, 2012
11:24 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV-05TLiiLU
Pelosi: “We Have to Pass the Bill So That You Can Find Out What Is In It”
Thanks for proving my point, sport.
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:25 am
“The deeper I read in the opinion and the dissents, the more apparent it is that Roberts undertook a major rescue operation. He was not willing to let the court take what he deemed to be a radical, even partisan course that would undermine its institutional credibility, so he found a way to avoid it.
This ruling is as much about protecting the court as about interpreting the law.”
Good for him.
Thank heavens for him, too.
Finn McCool (The System Isn't Broken; It's Fixed ~ from an Occupy sign)
June 28th, 2012
11:25 am
Taxpayer, they are all wigging out like we expected. Be careful on the drive home tonight. Should be a lot of drunk, po’d Young Republicans on the roads.
But of course their daddy’s will get them off if they run you over….
PJ
June 28th, 2012
11:25 am
mean why should I sill pay for healthcare when others who “choose” not to work will now be covered?
It’s like the “Uninsured Motorist Clause” most of have to buy when we pay our car insurance. This covers us in case we get into an accident with someone who is not covered. The same with health insurance we pay a higher premium because we must cover those uninsured (thanks to Reagan) in any emergency situation. You may like not like Obamacare but either way the insured pay for the uninsured
TaxPayer
June 28th, 2012
11:25 am
I wonder how much the Koch Boys had to pay for Scalia and Thomas.
Welcome to the Occupation
June 28th, 2012
11:25 am
This ruling is as much about protecting the court as about interpreting the law.
No question about it. Roberts’ hand was basically forced.
They blew their misdirection plans. Next time they’re gonna have to figure out some more subtle forms of misdirection to advance their ideological projects without all-out trashing the court’s reputation.
Those commenters above calling this a “leftist” decision are way off the mark.
This decision was desperately conservative (not to say “severely” conservative).
Z
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
Yippppeeeee, The American People won today whether some know that or not. Millions will now be able to have health care. Thank you Justice Roberts for following the Law.
BILL
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
joseph-it is a victory for insurance companies (so kind of hard for many to call it a “government take-over.” However, it’s also a victory for most folks-pre-existing conditions, cancellations, etc. And, in the long-run, I suspect insurance companies are going to get a lot more heat put on them——10-30 years, as we evolve, maybe there will be single payor–with the right to still buy supplemental insurance.
ld
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
Roberts’ decision seems designed to do three things:
Give the GOP an issue with which to beat Obama’s re-election efforts to a pulp.
Give the insurance companies the “gift” of a mandate from which the GOP can now strip all employer and insurance company restrictions and regulations and also strip all employee/consumer protections and assistance leaving in place only the “mandate” that, for the privilege of breathing, everyone in America must buy an insurance product from this private-owned, for-mega-profit insurance company.
Bring back debtor’s prisons by giving the federal government the right to incarcerate the poor for not buying the insurance or being able to pay the penalty.
zeke
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
what major civilized countries do not have some form of univeral health coverage?
Jimmy62
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
Jay: So you are saying it’s an entirely political decision?
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
TiredOfIt
“The right-wingers upset with this decision are a small minority of republicans.”
You going for first place in the Spin Contest?
jg
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
Lord help us now, Get Obama out of there soon.
Ben Shockley
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
“The right-wingers upset with this decision are a small minority of republicans”
LOL…never mind the polls showing 2/3 of Americans are opposed to the law.
End of Regressivity?
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
I do so love the stench of exploded regressive brain in the morning. Enervating it is, I dare say. And the sight of regressives falling all over their pathetic and hypocritical selves is a wonder to behold. Long live President O! Long live the Democrats!
Mr Right
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
Oh boy, here we go agian! I hope we get the same results in 2012 as we did in 2010!
Jay
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
In fact, I wonder whether the four dissenting justices drove Roberts to the other side by insisting that the entire law had to be thrown out, with no room for compromise.
That’s the way such decisions are often decided.
kitty
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
Brocephus: to the overweight person who smokes and lives an unhealthy life style, you won, we are now forced to pay for your
medical care
You’ve already been doing that if you’re paying for insurance. Now, he/she will have to carry their own insurance.
======================================
They refuse to understand that it seems. They have no idea that they have actually been paying for the deadbeats all along. Now those “deadbeats” will have to get insurance. Why do I suspect that many of them vote GOP???!!!!! “Keep your government hands off my medicare?”
ld
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
instead of insurance company insert insurance industry in comment above
(or replace “a” for “this”)
Finn McCool (The System Isn't Broken; It's Fixed ~ from an Occupy sign)
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
This is a “victory” for them, not us, imauo”
True, but you have to learn to walk before you can run. This is step one.
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
MY GOD!!! The way Joseph and his play mates are going on, you’d think that “Tax” was a four letter word…
Will they go round in circles?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAVKG0I6XXA
Ben Shockley
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
“what major civilized countries do not have some form of univeral health coverage?”
The ones not driving over the debt cliff with Greece, Spain, etc…
zeke
June 28th, 2012
11:27 am
2/3 of country are probably fat overweight and not too brite either
BILL
June 28th, 2012
11:28 am
Ken: It’s been estimated that the Act will bring in about $4 billion a year by 2016–not much of a tax. And, let’s keep in mind, federal taxes, as a percentage of GDP are lower now than they have been in a generation.
Jack
June 28th, 2012
11:28 am
The reqirement to have health insurance is to be enforced by the IRS; not sure how they’re going to have the time. And how to enforce the law if you don’t file a return. It’s going to be a nightmare.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 28th, 2012
11:28 am
For all the false whining about a “tax”, some of the good news:
Children will no longer be denied health insurance due to a pre-existing condition, effective immediately.
Young adults can stay on their parent’s health insurance policy until age 26.
Adults will no longer be denied health insurance due to a pre-existing condition, effective in 2014.
Health insurance providers can no longer cancel your policy because you get sick.
There can no longer be annual limits to health coverage. If your illness is incredibly expensive, you won’t have to worry about reaching a limit to what your insurance company will pay.
Bernie
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
Congratulations! President Obama for your hard won fight for the American People.
God knows you have endured the wrath and traps of so many who have hated and despised you, so vehemently for no “GOOD” reason and without a cause.
We can only pray that he continues his many blessings for you and this GREAT NATION.
Chris
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
Jay I’m reading it for myself too. There is definitely some lingual acrobatics in these opinions.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
““The right-wingers upset with this decision are a small minority of republicans””
and they’re all right here on the blog
Divide and Conquer
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
My my,but the contumely is good here today. Munch…munch. I need another bag of popcorn to go with this.
I actually hope Romney get the WH in Nov.; just to prove to all the partisans here that nothing will be repealed or even significantly altered. Once the sh$t is in the bowl, it’s going down and staying there. Even if it has to be plunged a few times.
Oh abd Roberts is a tool.
Talking Head
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
“what major civilized countries do not have some form of univeral health coverage?”
not sure..the US has universal health coverage, if you’re 65 or older you have health coverage
mm
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
Does anyone else see the hypocrisy in the con posts? They are mad because they have to buy healthcare, but then claim they are also paying for everyone elses.
EVERYONE HAS TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN HEALTHCARE!!!!
And the folks that can’t afford it are still SOL.
I ihnk maybe you cons should read the law instead of listening to th BS spouted by your politicians and the likes of Rush. You know, read it like the SC did.
Paulo977
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
Tax Payer
Has Jay implemented a moment of silence for the cons yet.
______________________________________
Hope he gets to it ….not a moment too soon!!!
Normal Free...Pro Human Rights Thug...And liking it!
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
But I tell you what. I really am pizzed of at Justice Roberts…I have to take back everything I said about him…and…get him a thank you card…
Steve Atl
June 28th, 2012
11:29 am
Keep talking Libs…that ars whupping in November 2010 can happen again.
Ben Shockley
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
Has the carrier pigeon arrived yet from Kenya with Obama’s plan for cutting the deficit in half by the end of his first term?
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
“The ones not driving over the debt cliff with Greece, Spain, etc…”
ohsweetjeebus – HEALTH CARE isn’t their problem!!!
Mr Right
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
zeke
June 28th, 2012
11:26 am
what major civilized countries do not have some form of univeral health coverage?
what major civilized countries that have it are not broke ?
ld
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
Jay
The Roberts decision was NOT for the benefit of liberals or progressive; it was for the benefit of the GOP in this election year and, for the long term, in the interest of the private-owned for-profit insurance industry and medical industry.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
“2/3 of country are probably fat overweight and not too brite [sic] either”
There are not that many cons in the US.
Welcome to the Occupation
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
Ben Shockley: “No big deal. President-elect Romney will just choose not to enforce it, juts as Obaam has done with immigration laws.”
Are you KIDDING me?
Brosephus™
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
josef
If you’re still lurking, are you thinking 1859???
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:30 am
From Scotusblog
“Amy Howe:
In Plain English: The Affordable Care Act, including its individual mandate that virtually all Americans buy health insurance, is constitutional. There were not five votes to uphold it on the ground that Congress could use its power to regulate commerce between the states to require everyone to buy health insurance. However, five Justices agreed that the penalty that someone must pay if he refuses to buy insurance is a kind of tax that Congress can impose using its taxing power. That is all that matters. Because the mandate survives, the Court did not need to decide what other parts of the statute were constitutional, except for a provision that required states to comply with new eligibility requirements for Medicaid or risk losing their funding. On that question, the Court held that the provision is constitutional as long as states would only lose new funds if they didn’t comply with the new requirements, rather than all of their funding. “
Live Free or Die
June 28th, 2012
11:31 am
Well, the Constitution is officially dead now… so exactly where does the power of the Federal Government end?
Ben Shockley
June 28th, 2012
11:31 am
“2/3 of country are probably fat overweight and not too brite either”
They probably can’t spell “bright” either…
carlosgvv
June 28th, 2012
11:31 am
THIS JUST IN!!!! MIRACLES STILL HAPPEN!!!!!
Today, in what can only be called a miracle, Chief Justic Roberts actually grew a conscience and voted to uphold Obamacare.
In a related story, healtcare lobbyists swarmed into Washington, cornered Republican politicians, and coldly warned them to repeal Obamacare or else lose all their campaign bribe money.
Details at 11
ld
June 28th, 2012
11:31 am
Normal Free: don’t apologize too soon; the effect of the Roberts’ decision will reveal his intent — and it was NOT to help the employee/consumer working class people.
St Simons - he-ne-ha
June 28th, 2012
11:31 am
josef – “have stock in the insurance companies?”
no, that would be unethical in our case, as you know.
It is a step toward a National Health Service, and a
Comprehensive Health Plan for every ‘merkan. It is a move
to make us (and we are ‘us’ now despite my injun jokes)
a civilized tribe (i wasn’t joking earlier). We will be judged,
a thousand years from now, on how we treated the least of us.
You correctly rejoiced at “dont ask don’t tell”, and the gay marriage
amendments’ demise.
Rejoice in this Time. The great grandson of a medicine woman
gives you permission.
hey what was that book you recommended again?
with Choctaw tales like the fox hunt?
Glom
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
“Most of the people that don’t have health insurance don’t have it because they can’t afford it.”
If they’re that poor, they should apply for Medicaid. A lot of people CHOOSE to forgo health insurance so they can buy huntin’ rifles and monster trucks instead. Then when they can’t pay their hospital bills out of pocket, responsible, insured people get to pick up their tab in the form of higher premiums.
Prof
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
Praise the Lord for this Supreme Court decision.
And won’t it to some extent correct the current expensive problem of illegal immigrants who use hospital Emergency Rooms without any sort of health insurance to pay their bills? Won’t hospitals be able to demand proof of health insurance for admission?
zeke
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
joseph, you may be healthy this minute but not a lifetime i’m betting. you sure spend a lot of time on blog….that is not healthy
Paul
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
Normal
“But I tell you what. I really am pizzed of at Justice Roberts…I have to take back everything I said about him…and…get him a thank you card…
”
Most noble of you. Fine example, too.
Welcome Occupation
“Are you KIDDING me?”
No, he’s serious.
Tread carefully.
ty webb
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
“They are mad because they have to buy healthcare,…”
silly mm, “they have to buy” health insurance”, not “healthcare”…carry on.
USinUK - pro-gay-marriage thug and former Girl Scout
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
“the Constitution is officially dead now”
considering that your side doesn’t think it’s a living document, anyway, this shouldn’t be a surprise to you
massachusetts refugee
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
oscar, soothsayer (and maybe others) have hit the nail on the head – health insurance is just not affordable for large segments of the population. a $2000 tax credit (and *where* does that number come from??) will not help defray the real cost of buying health insurance. it would actually be cheaper to pay the fine/tax/penalty than cough up the nearly $1000/mo it would cost me if i lost my job.
godless heathen
June 28th, 2012
11:32 am
The confusion displayed by the lefties here today is hilarious. They think Republicans are the ones going around with no insurance because they don’t have to buy it. They think they can now go to work at their husband’s business now instead of having to “work for insurance”. They think the cost of insurance and health care is going to go down. They think the majority of Americans are suddenly now going to love Obamacare. Precious.
josef
June 28th, 2012
11:33 am
BROSEPHUS
Indeed, I am!
Insurance companies
June 28th, 2012
11:34 am
Big win for us…..
How can the states tell it’s citizens they must purchase car insurance but the govt can’t tell you that you have to purchase healt insurace….
Some say it’s because driving is a choice —-that B.S. how many folks can get to work, run their businesses – get to medical appts…etc without driving….driving is an essential part of our likes….
We won folks…get over it… and deal with it….