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Supreme Court Will Hear ObamaCare Case in March

Lengthy case will be argued over 3 days

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 19, 2011 12:40 PM CST

(Newser) – President Obama's health-care law will head to the Supreme Court at the end of March, and justices are devoting a whopping five and a half hours of arguments to it. Most cases are argued for just an hour, but the weight of the case and its implications for federal power have earned it extra time, the Wall Street Journal reports. The arguments will run across three days starting March 26, with the central issue—the constitutionality of the individual mandate—set for day two.

On the first day, justices will hear arguments over whether the whole matter should be put on hold under a law that says taxpayers must pay a new levy before they can challenge it. The third day will examine which parts of the law can remain in place if the individual mandate is deemed unconstitutional. The only federal appeals court to rule against the mandate said the rest of the law held up. Opponents say that isn't the case; the government says the law can still work, but some requirements would need to change.

President Barack Obama delivers a statement at the White House in Washington on December 17, 2011. (Getty Images)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 44 comments

Antone123

Dec 21, 2011 2:27 PM CST

Scalia, Roberts,and Thomas, Americans are all watching and listening along with Corporate America. This is not the year 2000. People are aware of your Corporate connections but we all know you three are all honest God fearing men who will do your home work and keep everyone happy.

YetAnotherCollegeKid

Dec 21, 2011 12:16 AM CST

This is what the Supreme Court is for. They will take this case and rule on it based on the laws of the land. I hope they find it constitutional; but if they don't, well, so be it. It's important that the final check on our political system is respected and utilized when issues of national impact are in question.

SilenceDogood

Dec 19, 2011 6:08 PM CST

This is good and the timing could not be better. Let us find out what America is all about, freedom and common sense, or a lack of freedom and bullshit laws.

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Supreme Court Will Hear ObamaCare Case in March

Lengthy case will be argued over 3 days

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

health care reform • US Supreme Court • ObamaCare • Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

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