News on Youtube Jan 4 2019

Democratic states appeal ruling striking down Affordable Care Act CNNPolitics

A coalition of 17 Democratic state attorneys general is appealing a Texas district judges ruling that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

"Our goal is simple: to stand up for the law of the land the Affordable Care Act in order to keep health care affordable and accessible for millions of Americans," California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who is leading the group, said Thursday. "This shouldnt be a debate."

The move comes a day after House Democrats signaled they intend to grant themselves in the lawsuit as part of their rules package. A vote on the largely symbolic effort is expected soon.

It will likely be many months before the appeals court issues a decision, and however it rules, the case is expected to end up in the Supreme Court.

District Judge Reed OConnor because Congress had eliminated the individual mandate penalty by reducing it to dollar 0 starting this year. This rendered the mandate itself unconstitutional and the rest of the act therefore cannot stand, OConnor said. However, pending appeal, the judge clarified earlier this week.

The Democratic states have stepped up to defend the law because the Trump administration has declined to do so. They argue that the penalty was zeroed out, not eliminated, and that the mandate remains constitutional. In any event, they say, the rest of the law can stand without the mandate.

Also, the blue state officials stress that killing Obamacare would harm millions of Americans, including those with pre existing conditions.

Becerra told reporters he hopes that more states will join the group now that four additional states have elected Democratic attorneys general.