The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Thursday. The court ruled that Congress did not overstep its power with the so-called individual mandate, which required nearly all Americans to buy health insurance.
The court’s long-awaited ruling rejected a legal challenge brought by Republican state officials and the National Federation of Independent Business against the health care plan, which was passed in 2010 by President Obama and Democrats.
The legal challenge focused on the mandate that all must have insurance by 2014 or pay a tax penalty. Chief Justice John Roberts joined with the court’s four liberal justices in the ruling. Simply put, Congress may tax and spend," Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. "This grant gives the federal government considerable influence even in areas where it cannot directly regulate." Roberts wrote.
Further reports on the ruling will be provided to members as information is made available.
Members can read the full decision here.