Posted on 04/18/2014 7:47:45 AM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
Contemporaneous congressional intent is also clear in this case - the provision for federal subsidies was in the draft version, but removed to get the CBO cost under $1T.
That aside, historically with legislation that was highly contentious when passed, the Court generally applies a very literal reading of the text, as opposed to things that passed with broad majorities, where they tend to give more deference to “intent”. Of course, historically we also haven’t had a Court this blatantly politicized.
Factor in the 5-6 million who lost insurance and the net gain in sign-ups is less than 10% of the long-term uninsured, despite the legal MANDATE to buy insurance. Oh, and a significant percentage didn't buy insurance at all but just enrolled in Medicaid. And they don't discount those who signed up but haven't (and won't) pay.
Even setting all that aside... as for the sign-up numbers themselves, I consider the fact that the folks who couldn't provide a useful metric for months somehow managed to hit their (not-a-target) target number ON THE NOSE on the very last day (which in itself was extended by 3.5 months)... um... "highly suspect", to say the least.
It’ll probably go to SCOTUS, where Obastard’s actions will be ruled constitutional. Look at the contortions they had to go through to find the whole thing legal in the first place by declaring the penalties a “tax.”
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