States, Trump administration file arguments against ‘Obamacare’

A coalition of states and the Trump administration on Wednesday submitted their arguments against the federal health care law, arguing Congress’ elimination of the law’s tax penalty in 2017 not only made the provision unconstitutional but the entirety of “Obamacare” as well. The plaintiffs and the federal government said the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans should reaffirm a federal judge’s decision in December striking down the law. A coalition of states, led by Texas and including West Virginia, launched an effort last year challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. While the U.S Department of Justice at first declined to defend the law in court, the department in March came out in support of Judge Reed O’Connor’s decision.