Aug
12
Written by:
William Lutz
8/12/2011 1:11 PM
The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit has struck down the individual mandate in the federal Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) as unconstitutional. Click here to read the opinion. The lawsuit pitted several states -- including Texas -- against the federal government, arguing that an individual mandate to buy health insurance violates the U.S. Constitution.
Attorney General Greg Abbott issued the following statement: “Obamacare is closer to an end. The federal court of appeals agrees that the federal health care law’s individual mandate violates the U.S. Constitution – and cannot be enforced against the American people. This is an important ruling for freedom and limited government. As we have maintained since before the law was first enacted, the individual mandate exceeds the constitutional limits on Congress’ authority. The federal government cannot rely upon Congress’ power to regulate interstate commerce in a misguided effort to require that every American purchase government-approved health insurance – whether they want it or not. No public policy goal, no matter how important or well-intentioned, can be allowed to trample the protections and rights guaranteed by our Constitution.”