Skimm'd while getting our last-minute gifts

"We could do legs only" – Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg worked out the day after she broke three ribs. Well...there goes every single excuse we've ever used to avoid a workout.

STRUCK DOWN

The Story

A federal judge ruled that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional.

Take me back.

In 2010, President Obama signed the ACA slash Obamacare. The goal: help more Americans get access to affordable health insurance. Some considered it one of his biggest achievements in office. But Republicans have argued it's a prime example of federal gov overreach.

What's this lawsuit about?

When the law was signed, it included an individual mandate. Meaning people are required to have insurance – otherwise they have to pay a fee. Back in 2012, the Supreme Court said the ACA was constitutional because of this fee. Specifically because it falls under Congress's power to tax people. Then the new tax bill happened.

Go on…

Last year, Congress passed a tax bill and tacked on the individual mandate as part of it. The bill made it so the penalty for not having health insurance will go from an average of $708 to $0. Then 20 Republican-leaning states sued, saying that with a $0 mandate, the 2012 SCOTUS ruling no longer holds up. Just to break that down again: a Republican-controlled Congress pretty much got rid of the individual mandate...and then Republican-leaning states sued that without that mandate, the ACA as a whole doesn't hold up.

So what's the latest?

On Friday, a federal judge in Texas sided with Republicans. And said that because the individual mandate penalty will be $0, it invalidates the rest of the law.

What does this all mean?

The ruling doesn't affect 2019 coverage. And Dems are expected to appeal – which the White House says will keep the law in place while it makes its way through the courts. Don't be surprised if this case makes it all the way up to the Supreme Court.

How are people reacting?

Republicans say this is a good opportunity to come up with a replacement for Obamacare – even if they tried (and failed) to come up with one last year. Democrats say they plan to continue fighting to keep millions of Americans from losing their health insurance. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says he'll push for a vote to intervene in the case – and House Dems plan to do the same.

theSkimm

Lawmakers have been arguing about this law for almost a decade. Now basic health care for millions of Americans is at risk. President Trump called on congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle to come up with a more permanent solution. All eyes are on what happens next.

REPEAT AFTER ME...

What to say when you spend all night working on a project…

Hand me some coffee. Over the weekend, almost 200 countries agreed on a set of rules to keep the Paris climate accord alive. Back in 2015, almost every country in the world agreed on a joint plan to fight climate change. But they didn't figure out the details on how to do that. In case you haven't heard: countries really need to act now. After two weeks of negotiations in Poland and some all-nighters, countries agreed on some fine print. The rules lay out how countries will track their emissions and communicate their progress in the future. Because, transparency. But they didn't come up with rules to drastically reduce emissions. Last year, President Trump said he's pulling the US out of the deal. But that doesn't happen officially until 2020. So the US is still part of this thing...for now.

What to say when you catch your nephew drawing on the walls...

Someone's in trouble. Speaking of, today, Malaysia charged Goldman Sachs related to an investment fund scandal. This has to do with a state investment fund the country's former PM set up years ago to boost the economy. The fund has been under investigation over allegations that officials pocketed billions of dollars from the fund for themselves. Goldman backed bonds for the fund and earned $600 million in fees. Now Malaysia says Goldman made misleading statements aimed at taking those billions of dollars. Goldman called the charges "misdirected."

Who people are talking about…

Jakelin Caal Maquin. Earlier this month, the seven-year-old girl died less than 48 hours after being taken into US custody. She had traveled thousands of miles from Guatemala with her father. He told authorities she was healthy when they arrived at the border in New Mexico. But she later vomited and stopped breathing before being taken to the hospital, where she suffered from brain swelling and cardiac arrest. Initial reports say she died from septic shock and dehydration. It took until last week for officials to disclose her death. Leaving many people with questions. The Trump admin says that it's not responsible for her death, and that this showed that the journey to the US-Mexico border can be "extremely dangerous." But her family is doubling down and saying that Jakelin was healthy when she was taken into custody, and want a transparent investigation.

What to say when you don't get a pay raise…

Time to find a new job, just like Ryan Zinke. The interior secretary is leaving the Trump admin before the end of the year. Zinke's been the subject of several federal investigations (for things including questionable business deals and travel). The Interior Dept's top watchdog referred an investigation to the DOJ, which could be a sign of a criminal investigation. Now, he's packing up his desk. President Trump said he'd name his replacement this week. Speaking of replacements, Mick Mulvaney is Trump's pick for acting White House chief of staff. Earlier this month, Trump said 'John Kelly is out.' But now Mulvaney might have some explaining to do after a video surfaced of him describing Trump as a "terrible human being." Talk about getting off on the wrong foot with the new boss.

What to say when your friend is planning a big gesture for an ex…

Just don't. Seriously.

What to say when your OOO gets approved…

Celebrate like the Titans.

For when you left buying presents to the last minute…

Congrats on your award for procrastinator of the year...again. Shop our guide to last-minute holiday gifts to wrap it up right now.

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College football bowl games are almost here, and we want to make sure you don't miss the big ones. So we're celebrating tailgate-style this week. If you download theSkimm App and get the sports calendar, you're entered to win a mini BBQ and $500 for all the food to go along with it. Touchdown. Questions? Answers.