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Most Important Non-TV Story of the Day: U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Individual Mandate Part of Healthcare Bill

Jun 28, 2012  •  Post A Comment

"A sharply divided Supreme Court on Thursday [June 28, 2012] upheld the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare overhaul law that requires that most Americans get insurance by 2014 or pay a financial penalty, Reuters reports.

The article contines: "’The Affordable Care Act’s requirement that certain individuals pay a financial penalty for not obtaining health insurance may reasonably be characterized as a tax,’ Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court’s majority in the opinion. ‘Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness,’ he concluded. The vote was 5-4."

That part of the healthcare law has commonly been referred to as the "individual mandate."

The story adds, "In another part of the decision and in a blow to the White House, a different majority on the court struck down the provision of the law that requires the states to dramatically expand the Medicaid health insurance program for the poor."

One Comment

  1. Where does it say in the Constitution that the federal government is allowed this kind of taxation power? That’s a rather broad interpretation of government authority.
    It’s amazing that the Supreme Court, which could at one time be depended on to rein in the executive and legislative branches, now appears to get off on expanding the overreaching arm of government.
    I think it’s way past time for a mandatory retirement age for Supreme Court Justices. Let’s make it 60 years old. And retroactive.

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