If the Affordable Care Act may be repealed, can I ignore the tax penalty?

In some recent emails, readers asked about what to expect as Republicans move to overhaul the health law. Should people bother paying the penalty for not having health insurance when they file their taxes this year? Will people be able to sign up on the exchange for 2018 after their COBRA benefits end? Q: I didn’t have health insurance for part of last year and thought I’d get stuck paying a penalty.