Jacob Sullum on Obamacare's Unenforceable Linchpin

Last week the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare. It was the 33rd such vote taken by the House and, since Democrats control the Senate, no more likely to be successful than the first 32. But the day before the vote, Senior Editor Jacob Sullum reports, the House Ways and Means Committee heard testimony that highlighted another, more promising way to override the health care law: Americans can refuse to comply with its command that they obtain government-approved medical coverage, which the Supreme Court has deemed a mere suggestion even though it is essential to the legislation's goals. Furthermore, Sullum says, if Obamacare objectors take a simple precaution, they can opt out without paying the prescribed penalty.