The Affordable Care Act Is Still Law, and Saturday Is Your Last Day to Sign Up for Health Insurance

Marci Robin
Updated
Obamacare still stands despite a federal judge's ruling, and open enrollment ends on December 15.

On Friday, a federal judge in Texas struck down the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare. Judge Reed O’Connor of the Federal District Court in Fort Worth ruled that the mandate requiring people to buy health insurance is unconstitutional, and therefore, the rest of the ACA is invalid. This understandably caused immediate distress among millions of Americans who currently or will rely on the ACA for health insurance. However, for now, the law still stands — and coincidentally, today is your last day to sign up for a 2019 plan.

Although President Trump tweeted his elation over the ruling, the White House issued a separate, official statement, saying, "We expect this ruling will be appealed to the Supreme Court. Pending the appeal process, the law remains in place." In addition to anticipating an appeal, the ACA stands because Judge O'Connor did not block it. There is a possibility that this judge's ruling will be overturned in the appeal process, so it's important to not let fear of the unknown prevent you from getting the coverage you may need.

If you've already been on a plan purchased through healthcare.gov, you've likely been receiving weekly texts about tonight's open-enrollment deadline. But that's not the only way reminders have been shared. Former President Barack Obama posted a video to Instagram earlier this week urging people to sign up (and sporting the "deal with it" sunglasses — watch all the way to the end). And on Friday, former Vice President Joe Biden shared a photo of a beaded bracelet spelling out "healthcare.gov" with the caption "Friends don't let friends go uninsured. If you still need health insurance for 2019, tomorrow, December 15th, is the last day to get it through HealthCare.gov. This is about your health and peace of mind for you and your loved ones — there's nothing more important."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrN2ux0gb1i/

If Judge O'Connor's ruling does stand, The New York Times reports that about 17 million Americans will lose their health insurance, that there will be no limit on out-of-pocket costs, and that insurance companies will no longer be obligated to cover those under age 27 on their parents' plans. For now, however, as the law still stands, you have an opportunity to find an affordable health insurance plan on healthcare.gov through 11:59 p.m. PT today, Saturday, December 15.

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