Honestly, I hope America gets universal healthcare as well. I just don't get "if this is struck down, it'll pave the way for true universal healthcare." I think, logically, that universal healthcare would be more likely without the individual mandate in place. At the same time, politically, this will come as a major blow and be seen as many voters as a court rejection of socialized medicine in the US (even though that's not the conclusion will even draw).

It's not paving the way, it's removing an obstacle - this act while weakening insurance companies on one level, makes them much stronger with more guaranteed revenues, thus making their lobby stronger. A stronger insurance lobby would oppose universal health care with more determination.