What was once a coined as a derogatory term describing the overreach of a “socialist” agenda is now one of endearment that has granted universal health care to millions of Americans. “Obamacare,” President Obama’s signature piece of legislation of his first term, survived the Supreme Court test this June, after facing challenges to the heart of the of the act's individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance, or suffer a penalty.
The Court upheld the 2010 Affordable Care Act in a 5-4 decision, with Chief Justice John Roberts handing down the majority decision, framing the act's individual mandate as a tax.
The Court's ruling “reaffirmed a fundamental principle: that here in America, in the wealthiest nation on earth, no illness or accident should lead to any family’s financial ruin," Obama said following the decision. "Today’s decision was a victory for people all over this country, whose lives will be more secure because of this law and the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold it.”
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