US healthcare law ruled unconstitutional

US President Barack Obama

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/193705.html

A US Court of Appeals has ruled against President Barack Obama's health care reform law, stating that its main provision goes against the Constitution.

On Friday, the three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court in Atlanta ruled unconstitutional President Obama's health care law that requires everyone to own health care insurance in America's essentially private system or incur a penalty, AFP reported.

The Court adds that this law exceeds Congressional powers, as it forces Americans to buy insurance coverage.

But the Court has also ruled that the remainder of the health care law would remain in effect, which extends coverage to an extra 32 million people.

The Obama administration has dismissed the Appeals Court verdict, with the US Supreme Court being expected to later issue a ruling on a portion of the law.

The controversial $940-billion plan, which aims to overhaul the US health care system, promises reforms that would provide health coverage for nearly 30 million American citizens who currently lack it.

Republicans have pledged to derail the new law by cutting off funding for it.

The bill was signed into law in March 23, 2010 following months of heated debate.

Experts now predict a gridlock in Congress over the next two years in the process of implementing the health care reform's provisions.