(KYTX) - The biggest legal battle so far in history over President Obama's health care law. Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court made the decision to uphold ObamaCare.
By a 5- 4 vote, the High Court upheld most of the law that had bitterly divided Americans, their employers and lawmakers. President Obama called the Supreme Court's decision a victory for the American people, but that's not how everyone sees it.
"I didn't do this because it was good politics, I did it because I believed it was good for the country." he said.
The Court let most of the Affordable Care Act stand. Surprisingly, it was Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts who sided with the four Liberal judges in the majority. Roberts upheld the so-called individual mandate, requiring all Americans to have health insurance, or pay a penalty.
Roberts said while Congress could not force people to buy something, like insurance, it could tax those who are not insured. Also upheld, insurance companies cannot disqualify people because of pre-existing conditions. They can't raise rates on the chronically sick. And, children can remain on their parents' health plan until age 26.
But UT Tyler clinical instructor Teresa Hunt says she worries how the decision will affect the quality of health care.
"I think we have some challenges for us as a society," said Hunt. "And, especially for us as health care providers. And, we will need to be creative."
Republican candidate Mitt Romney said he disagreed with the ruling.
"ObamaCare was bad policy yesterday, it is bad policy today." he said.
He says he will work to repeal the law if elected president- something House leaders are promising to do now.
"Republicans stand ready to work with a president who will listen to the American people and not repeat the mistakes that gave us this harmful law." said Republican House Speaker John Boehner.
A law that polls say most Americans oppose.
The Court struck down a portion of the law that threatened to withhold money from states as a tool to force them to expand Medicaid programs.
East Texans say they're concerned about small businesses and individuals who can't afford insurance or the fines and the burden it will place on them.
In 2014, families who don't get insurance must pay fines of 1% of their income, or $285 (whatever is greater). By 2016, it goes up to 2.5% or $2,085 dollars per family. For individuals, the percentages are the same, but it's $95 in 2014 and $695 dollars in 2016.
