Why "Obamacare" Supporters Need to Care about the Health of the Regulatory System

By now, you’ve almost certainly heard about the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision in “the health care case” (National Federation of Independent Businesses v. Sebelius).  In short, the majority ruled that the mandate is a legitimate exercise of Congress’s power to tax and that financial incentives can be used to encourage states to expand Medicaid eligibility.

At OMB Watch, we’re standing with everyone who’s celebrating this decision.  But we’re also aware that this is only the first half of the story.  Like virtually every law, the Affordable Care Act didn’t just take effect after it was passed by Congress and signed by the president.  It has to be implemented through the rulemaking process.

If industry or political interference is allowed to delay these rules, the same way that other critical rules have been delayed, then it won’t matter that the Supreme Court found the Affordable Care Act constitutional today.  So, yes, let’s take some time to celebrate the ruling – but tomorrow, let’s get back to fighting for a strong, effective regulatory system to back it up.

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