My question is, why does obamacare continue onward, while there is a fed court ruling to the contrary? That should have stopped it in its tracks while awaiting a higher court decision.
The obama admin thinks its above the law, heads should roll over this or we are no longer a "nation of laws".
You are spot on with your rhetorical question. However, some parts of ObamaCare that are intended to reshape the exchange of information, reimbursement and physician behavior are tucked away in the American Recovery Act, not the Affordable Care Act.
For the same reason that DOMA is still the law of the land even though a district federal court in MA said last fall that DOMA (ironically) also violated the 10th Amendment; Because there are competing district court decisions.
This isn't at all unusual. When there are facial challenges to existing legislation, there can be conflicting district court and circuit court decisions. Frequently, those decisions are stayed until the case is finally resolved on appeal, which can normally takes years.
Just last week, the 11th Circuit agreed to fast-track this appeal, which I believe will be heard next month. At least until then, the lower court ruling will be stayed.