AUSTIN, Texas -- A ruling by a federal judge in Texas has the potential to wipe away the entire Affordable Care Act, the health care overhaul championed by President Barack Obama and twice sustained by the Supreme Court.

Judge Reed O’Connor’s opinion was issued late Friday and if upheld it has the potential to throw the nation’s health care system into chaos.

Rob Henneke, general counsel for the Texas Public Policy Foundation and an attorney for the Texas-side of the case is calling the decision “a historic win,” but supporters of the law have vowed to appeal it.

“For eight years Americans and Texans have been burdened by this crumbling regulatory scheme,” said Henneke. “Friday’s ruling by the federal judge was a historic first step in fully repealing the Affordable Care Act so states can stand-up and reassert themselves as the proper policy makers for health care.”

Stacey Pogue, policy analyst for the left-leaning Center for Public Policy Priorities, says the ruling could have serious implications for Texans and there’s a long legal battle ahead.

“It’s a pretty reckless ruling because what is at stake is healthcare for millions of Americans, including a million Texans, who have coverage in the health insurance marketplace,” Pogue said. “It’s a disappointing ruling, but courts will decide over what might be a very long term whether or not its constitutional.”

Pogue said CPPP is reminding people that the Affordable Care Act remains the law of the land for now and there will be no changes to coverages for 2019. She also said coverage for preexisting conditions is a big concern for many Texans if the ACA is replaced and she worries about a return to high-risk-pools, offering separate coverage to the sickest patients.

Click the link above to watch the full interviews with Henneke and Pogue. ​