FollowU.S. Republican Senator of Wisconsin Ron Johnson sued Obama administration on the grounds of how the Affordable Care Act is applied. Senator Johnson Case against Obamacare claimed that Congress members must not enjoy preferential treatment in what regards health insurances. Congress subsidies its members’ premiums and Johnson attempted to change it by filling a case to the Federal Court in January 2014. Senator Johnson’s action comes after Office of Personnel Management decided that lawmakers and their teams should continue to enjoy their previous insurances and covered around 75 percent of their premium costs.
Federal Judge William C. Griesbach, appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush, had not found any reasons to take the case further. “I conclude that any injury traceable to the contested regulation is too speculative and undeveloped to constitute a redressable injury,” Judge Griesbach stated.
The Affordable Care Act is still under attack. A short while ago, the Hobby Lobby case at the Federal Court ended with a win for the closely held corporations. According to the decision, corporation owners can refuse to cover birth control insurance costs.
Senator Johnson Case against Obamacare might continue with an appeal
Senator Johnson is not happy with the result. “I believe that this executive action by the Obama administration is unlawful and unfair, and that it is only one of many examples of this president’s abuse of his constitutional duty,” Republican Senator Ron Johnson said. “Unfortunately, those actions will go unchallenged for now, because the district court granted the administration’s motion to dismiss based on the legal technicality of standing.” Johnson wanted to avoid a potential conflict arising at the workplace, because the law obliged him to choose who qualifies for subsidized insurance.
Earlier this month, Johnson said he assigned ‘a majority’ of his circa 40 people staff to use the small-business exchanges, even though he considers the move illegal. Senator Johnson considers Judge Griesbach’s decision unfair as the case was ruled out because of a technicality. Senator Johnson was concerned that the law obliges him to act in a way which will make his voters view him negatively. The Federal Judge declared Johnson did not provide any proof to support the claims. At the moment, Senator Johnson Case against Obamacare might continue with an appeal, after consultations with lawyers.
The case is Johnson v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 14-cv-00009, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin (Green Bay).
