Federal Judge Puts Hold on His Ruling Striking Down Healthcare Reform

In case you were confused by all the conflicting rulings on the healthcare reform law (and at this point, who isn’t?), we have a new update.  U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson, who earlier this year struck down the healthcare reform legislation, has put his ruling on hold. 

Although other federal judges had ruled that only pieces of the legislation such as the individual mandate requiring all Americans to buy health insurance are unconstitutional, Judge Vinson had ruled that the entire healthcare reform law is unconstitutional and must be tossed out.  “Regardless of how laudable its attempts may have been to accomplish these goals in passing the act, Congress must operate within the bounds established by the Constitution,” Vinson, who was appointed to the federal bench by Ronald Regan, wrote. “This case is not about whether the act is wise or unwise legislation. It is about the constitutional role of the federal government.”

Judge Vinson’s new order is a response to an Obama Administration request for clarification on his ruling.  ”While I believe that my order was as clear and unambiguous as it could be,” wrote Vinson, “it is possible that the defendants may have perhaps been confused or misunderstood its import.”

Judge Vinson’s new order does clarify that  his ruling changes virtually nothing for most of us right now. Of the four federal courts that have heard cases on the healthcare reform law, two courts have upheld the law while two have ruled it uconstitutional.  An appeals court in Virginia is currently slated to rule on two of the conflicting rulings in May.  

Do you think healthcare reform will be overturned by the Supreme Court?  Tell us about it!

Related posts:

1. Florida Judge Declares Healthcare Reform Law Unconstitutional
2. Federal Judge Strikes Down Healthcare Reform Health Insurance Mandate; Case Still On Course for Supreme Court
3. Healthcare Reform: Judge Allows Virginia’s Legal Challenge to Healthcare Reform to Go Forward
4. Federal Judge In Michigan Upholds Michigan Law as Constitutional
5. Florida Lawsuit Against Healthcare Reform Likely to Go Forward