Supreme Court begins debating sweeping health care law
WASHINGTON D.C (BDCi) – The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday began three days of potentially landmark oral arguments over the constitutionality of the sweeping health care law championed by President Barack Obama, with a majority of justices appearing to reject suggestions they wait another few years before deciding the issues.
In one of the most politically charged cases in years, the health care reform case drew people who waited in line starting Friday for the chance to attend, and sparked competing news conferences by supporters and opponents of the 2010 law passed by Democrats over united Republican opposition.
It boils down to whether the health care law’s key provision is a ‘tax’ that could prevent the court from considering the broader constitutional questions.
The key provision involved is the “individual mandate” requiring most Americans to purchase some form of health insurance or face a substantial tax penalty.
By: Natania Levine Courtesy: cnn.com Photo: usatoday.com 26 March 2012
9:59 a.m P.D.T