On November 14, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the 2010 healthcare overhaul law. The Court will hear an appeal from the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, which held that the mandate requiring individuals to purchase health insurance or face a penalty is unconstitutional. In addition to the individual mandate, the Supreme Court will also determine whether the Act is ripe for litigation. In September, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals held that any challenge to the individual mandate would not be ripe until 2015, when the first penalties would be assessed under the Act. Oral arguments are expected to commence by March 2012, and a decision could be reached by June.
For a copy of the Eleventh Circuit’s decision, click here.
For a copy of the Fourth Circuit’s decision, click here.
Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara
