Maura Healey and 16 other attorneys general appeal Texas Obamacare ruling

Jan. 03--Obamacare was struck down by a federal judge in Texas last month, and now a nationwide coalition of attorneys general, including Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, want to appeal that decision.

In Fort Worth, Texas on Dec. 14, U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor sided with leaders from a group of Republican states who say the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

Representatives from the 20 states, led by Texas, argue the health-care law put in place by former President Barack Obama is unconstitutional. They say their states have been negatively impacted by an increase in people on state-supported insurance.

O'Connor agreed that the repeal of an individual penalty for not having health insurance, which goes into effect with the new tax reform law this year, meant ACA was no longer constitutional.

On Thursday Healey joined a coalition of 17 attorneys general across the country to file a notice of appeal in federal court for the case Texas v. U.S.

The attorneys argue that the Texas decision endangers health care coverage and funding for those covered under Obamacare, including vulnerable groups like seniors and those with preexisting conditions or disabilities.

"This ruling is misguided, dangerous, and will wreak havoc on the American health care system," Healey said in a statement. "I am joining my colleagues across the country today in challenging this decision to protect millions of families from losing their access to critical health care services."

Shortly after the Texas decision, on Dec. 18, Healey and other attorneys general filed an expedited motion to ensure Obamacare would continue to be enforced across the country.

The Texas decision is expected be appealed up the judicial ladder to the Supreme Court.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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