Doesn’t matter what it was “sold to the American people” as doing. If it is a lynchpin, it is; if it isn’t, it isn’t, independent of whatever was said to “market” it.
But really, there’s a huge difference between what you think/hope will happen and what should and will happen. I’m not even daring to guess right now; there are too many factors, many of which I don’t understand, in play (Kennedy, Roberts’ concerns for his legacy and as much of a unified court as he can get, the actual damn LAW, etc.).
I do agree, though, to comments in other places that this won’t have much of an effect on the upcoming elections; opinions about this law are already factored into polls and opinions from long ago. It WILL make a difference to people who need health care (i.e. everyone). I hope whatever happens, we get decent change out of it, because God knows this system needs it…