President Trump said it was “great news” for Americans that a federal judge deemed Obamacare unconstitutional late Friday.
The decision by U.S. District Court Judge Reed O’Connor in the Northern District of Texas puts the future of the healthcare law at risk.
“Wow, but not surprisingly, ObamaCare was just ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a highly respected judge in Texas. Great news for America!” Trump tweeted.
Wow, but not surprisingly, ObamaCare was just ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL by a highly respected judge in Texas. Great news for America!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2018
In another tweet, touting that he had predicted such an outcome, the president called on Congress to pass a healthcare law that protects people with pre-existing conditions.
“Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions,” he wrote.
“Mitch and Nancy, get it done!” Trump said, referring to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who is expected to take over the speaker’s gavel next year.
As I predicted all along, Obamacare has been struck down as an UNCONSTITUTIONAL disaster! Now Congress must pass a STRONG law that provides GREAT healthcare and protects pre-existing conditions. Mitch and Nancy, get it done!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2018
The case hinged on Congress’ elimination of the individual mandate penalty by reducing it to $0 as part of the Republican tax cut bill passed in 2017.
O’Conner, a President George W. Bush appointee, appeared to agree that without the mandate, which was “essential” to the law, the rest of the law should also fall.
The judge’s decision came a day before open enrollment for Obamacare is set to close.
The healthcare law will remain intact pending appeal.
