Florida judge firmly orders administration forward

The Florida federal judge, who ruled that the health care reform law is unconstitutional, issued a stay, Thursday, on that ruling.

On Jan. 31, Judge Roger Vinson made his ruling about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act because an “individual mandate,” the fact that most Americans would be forced to buy health insurance or face penalties, was unconstitutional.

According to his 20-page order, he said that the defendants (the government) have now filed a motion to clarify the ruling. Vinson’s response was firm.

"While I believe that my order was as clear and unambiguous as it could be," wrote Vinson, "it is possible that the defendants may have perhaps been confused or misunderstood its import."

Vinson was clearly upset that the administration had waited so long for a clarification, writing, “It was not expected that they would effectively ignore the order and declaratory judgment for two and one-half weeks, continue to implement the Act, and only then file a belated motion to ‘clarify.’”

The Justice Department now has under a week to file a notice of appeal, into whether current parts of the law can remain temporarily in effect, with the 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

"The sooner this issue is finally decided by the Supreme Court, the better off the nation will be. And yet, it has been more than one month from the entry of my order and still the defendants have not filed their notice of appeal,” Vinson said.

To read the order, click on the link below.