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'There’s no better day than today: US Supreme Court upholds Obamacare law, rejects Republican challenge

WION Web Team
WashingtonUpdated: Jun 18, 2021, 12:50 PM IST
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Photograph:(AFP)

Story highlights

Two judges appointed by Trump - Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, voted against it. However, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a Trump appointee, voted in favour of Obamacare

The US Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, rejecting the Republican challenge to the medicare programme.

The top court came to a decision with a 7-2 margin ruling out the challenge by Republican ruled states. Former President Donald Trump had vowed to do away with the healthcare initiative. However, it was stalled by the court.

Two judges appointed by Trump - Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch -  voted against it. However, conservative justices including two appointed by Trump including Chief Justice John Roberts voted to uphold the initiative.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett, a Trump appointee, also voted in favour of the act.

Obamacare was passed by Congress in 2010. The health insurance policy has withstood challenges earlier in 2012 and 2015. 

The act proposed access to Medicare programme for poor adults which was normally open for retired people over 65 years of age and included young people under 26 to be covered by their parents.

However, the Republican-led states had challenged the programme arguing that it was unconstitutional since it originally required Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a financial penalty under the "individual mandate".

Biden after taking office had requested the Supreme Court to uphold Obamacare. The Trump administration had failed to produce an alternative to the policy.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while hailing the verdict said: "Today’s Supreme Court ruling is a landmark victory for Democrats’ work to defend protections for people with pre-existing conditions against Republicans’ relentless efforts to dismantle them." 

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"On this anniversary, we should remember just how close we have come to losing that act we fought so hard for," US President Biden said, adding, "just 50 days into my administration, we've delivered on that promise with the American Rescue Plan."

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The US president said the act ensures healthcare will be more affordable and Americans will pay lower premiums.

(With inputs from Agencies)