Bill Clinton appointee protects Obamacare from lawsuit that would destroy federal exchanges

By Joel Gehrke

Published January 15, 2014 5:00am ET

Bill Clinton appointee protects Obamacare from lawsuit that would destroy federal exchanges — U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman, who was appointed to his seat by Bill Clinton,ÃÂ has upheld an IRS regulation that would allow taxpayer subsidies for federally run health care exchanges, even though the law stipulates that subsidies only go to exchanges set up by the states. (AP/Charles Dharapak) | Charles Dharapak

A federal judge has upheld an IRS regulation that would allow taxpayer subsidies for federally run health care exchanges, even though the law stipulates that subsidies only go to exchanges set up by the states.

U.S. District Court Judge Paul Friedman, who was appointed to his seat by Bill Clinton, based his ruling on Congress’ intention to have Obamacare exchanges in every state.