Even as a federal court in Virginia on Monday struck down a provision of the Affordable Care Act, saying it is unconstitutional, Judge Hudson refused to stop implementation of the law during the appeals process.
The White House in reacting to the ruling, said that while it disagreed, pointed out that it was one of many recent rulings on similar cases, in which federal district judges had dismissed 12 challenges to the health care bill, while in two other cases, strongly upheld the law.
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that, “Since its enactment, health insurance reform has delivered concrete benefits to millions of Americans. Among provisions already benefiting the American people, it has offered small businesses a tax break to cover their workers, allowed young adults to stay on their parents’ plans until age 26, and provided assistance to seniors struggling to pay prescription drug costs. These changes are good for our middle class, and will not be impacted by this court’s decision to overturn of a single provision of the law.”
Pelosi added that she was confident “the Affordable Care Act will ultimately be sustained and will keep benefitting our middle class, our families and our business, indeed every American.”
Meanwhile, Florida Gov.-elect Rick Scott, who is opposed to the health care law, praised Virginia Court’s decision.
“The news out of Virginia today is great for Floridians and for Americans everywhere,” Scott said in a statement, reports the News Service of Florida. “ObamaCare is the biggest job killer in the history of this country and this decision will go a long way toward restoring the certainty businesses need to start hiring and restoring some sanity to the federal government.”
Florida’s lawsuit against the health care law is expected to be argued in a federal court in Pensacola on Thursday.
