The health care bill largely written by Senator Max Baucus’ (D-MT) suffered a critical blow Monday, as a key provision was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge.
The Obama administration’s requirement that most citizens maintain minimum health coverage as part of a broad overhaul of the industry is unconstitutional, a federal judge ruled, striking down the linchpin of the plan.
U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson in Richmond, Virginia, today said that the requirement in President Barack Obama’s health-care legislation goes beyond Congress’s powers to regulate interstate commerce.
Meanwhile, the law that was also supported by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) continues to be unpopular.
The law’s never been popular, with support peaking at just 48 percent in November 2009. Today it’s slipped to 43 percent, numerically its lowest in ABC/Post polling. (It was about the same, 44 percent, a year ago.) Fifty-two percent are opposed, and that 9-point gap in favor of opposition is its largest on record since the latest debate over health care reform began in earnest in summer 2009.
More also continue to “strongly” oppose the law than to strongly support it, 37 percent to 22 percent.
If you can say anything good about the poll results for the Obamacare supporters: it polls better nationwide than it does here in Montana.
Congressman Denny Rehberg (R-MT), the only delegation member to oppose the health care bill, responded to the court’s ruling with this prepared statement:
“After months of rate increases and service reductions, Montanans continue to wait for true health care reform that lowers costs and increases access. The sooner that Obamacare is wiped off the books, the sooner we can get to work finding real solutions that benefit Montanans instead of the powerful interests in Washington, D.C. Most of the folks I’ve heard from will be happy with the decision in Virginia, and are only upset that an independent-minded state like Montana has sat quietly on the sidelines while other states take the fight to the overzealous federal government. It’s past time for Montana to get in this game.”