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WASHINGTON – Without question, federal court decisions mean something when it comes to the Affordable Care Act's future. But what, exactly?
In one of the most recent decisions on challenges to the ACA, Florida Judge Roger Vinson granted a stay to his own January 31 ruling in a case filed by 25 attorneys general and governors. Vinson called a halt to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, pending an "anticipated" appeal within seven days from President Barack Obama's administration.
Vinson asked the Department of Justice to urge the Supreme Court to rule on the case, but the Supreme Court has indicated it wants the case to first play out in the appellate courts.
Vinson's ruling – the most far-reaching of any thus far – called the individual mandate provision of the ACA unconstitutional, and as a result ruled the entire act void. Other judges have ruled only on the constitutionality of the individual mandate portion of the law.
Vinson's stay order means states that don't want to adhere to the ACA must do so while an appeal is filed.
Appellate Judge Joel F. Dubina has issued a May 25 deadline for briefs in the case. Other sources have indicated the court, pressured by the DOJ, is requiring the Obama administration to file an appeal by April 4.
Tracy Schmaler, deputy director of the Justice Department's Office of Public Affairs, said the DOJ strongly disagrees with Vinson's ruling. Three other federal courts have found the law constitutional.
"There is clear and well-established legal precedent that Congress acted within its Constitutional authority in passing the Affordable Care Act and we are confident that we will ultimately prevail on appeal," Schmaler said.
Attorney Ian Millhiser, a blogger for the nonpartisan Center for American Progress Action Fund, said, "Vinson's order bears no resemblance to the law, and will almost certainly hurt his credibility with an appellate court."
Charlotte Hays of the Independent Women's Forum called Vinson's stay a good thing. "Conservatives may hate particular rulings of courts, but they know they have to obey them," she said. "It's the law."
Media Matters for America, a Web-based, not-for-profit research and information center, hammered Fox News for "incorrectly" declaring Vinson's stay order "a victory" for ACA opponents, saying the order does nothing more than tell states they must comply with the ACA for now.
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said Vinson's ruling was the right decision.
"This decision allows implementation to go forward while his decision is reviewed," she said. "We are confident that in the end the act will be upheld. The Affordable Care Act is the most important step in achieving affordability and access to healthcare. In speaking with the President last week, he is committed to working with the states to continue to improve upon the law."