This week, the Supreme Court held three days of oral arguments on the multi-state lawsuit challenging the 2010 health care law. Justices sat for a combined six hours to determine the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The case is officially known as Florida v. Department of Health & Human Services.
Anti-Injunction Act
On Monday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument on the jurisdictional issue of whether the federal Anti-Injunction Act is relevant to the Affordable Care Act and if so, does the Court have jurisdiction. The Anti-Injunction Act prohibits the Courts from striking down tax laws before they take effect.
Individual Mandate
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard two hours of oral argument on the individual mandate. The individual mandate portion of the law goes into effect on January 1, 2014. It requires virtually all Americans to obtain health insurance or pay a fine.
Severability
On Wednesday, the Court considered whether the rest of the health care law can stand if the individual mandate provision is found unconstitutional, known as severability.
Medicaid
The final question before the Court on Wednesday was whether the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of the Medicaid program violates the Constitution.