A U.S. judge has ruled that the administration is wrongly repaying medical funds for millions of people. And in the course, they are ignoring the congress' power over government spending.
On May 12, the ruling of Washington-based District Judge Rosemary Collyer ruled in favor of the House Republicans who challenged the signature health care law of the Obama administration.
This means that the administration should not spend billions of federal funds to subsidize payments to private insurers under the Obama health care law without Congress' approval.
"Judge Collyer's opinion is a resounding victory not just for Congress but for our constitutional system as a whole. We remain a system based on the principle of the separation of powers and the guarantee that no branch or person can govern alone," said House lawyer Jonathan Turley.
John Boehner, the former House Speaker who led the efforts on the Republican's suit, called the ruling "a victory."
Today's Obamacare decision is a victory for the American people, and for House Republicans, who have stood firm for the rule of law.
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) May 12, 2016
Expecting an appeal from the administration, the judge put off making a final decision. This means that the ruling will not immediately affect the existing law.
However, the ruling will increase future uncertainties, which could include the number of health insurers who will continue its participation in the Obamacare program.
Many insurance companies have raised concerns and suffered losses. They expressed having a hard time looking for healthy customers that can cover the expenses spent on those with more severe health conditions.
In fact, Humana Inc. and UnitedHealth Group, which are two of the biggest program players, said they will no longer offer plans in 2017.
"This suit represents the first time in our nation's history that Congress has been permitted to sue the executive branch over a disagreement about how to interpret a statute," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.
Earnest added that it is unfortunate that the Republicans went for a lawsuit that is funded by American taxpayers to "re-fight a political fight that they keep losing."
The Republicans have lost the same fight for six years. Earnest added that they will lose again.
Photo: Brian Turner | Flickr
