The Buckingham

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The Supreme Court decided Monday, Nov. 14, that they would review President Obama’s health-care plan.  They will be ruling on whether Congress has the power to require all Americans to have health insurance.

The case on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will most likely be heard in March, and has been given a 5 and a half hour time slot for argument, versus the normal 60 minutes.  A ruling is expected by June 30.

Many Conservatives oppose the act because they believe it will cause the government to expand more, and Republicans in State government have asked their states to not abide to the rules in the act.

The Supreme Court has said that they would consider the following four questions:  Is it constitutional for the federal government to require everyone to have health insurance by 2014?  If not, can this provision be severed by the law, or must the entire statute be struck down?  The third question is about whether state’s should have to pay extra for the expanding Medicaid program, while the fourth question is whether the court should extend the time frame of the act from 2014 to 2015.

The ruling on this act could prove pivotal for Obama’s reelection.  If it is proved legal, Democrats and Liberals can claim that Obama enacted a plan that administrations since Roosevelt have tried to do.  But, if it’s ruled against, it could be seen as a victory for Republicans and Conservatives.  Analysts believe though that a rule against the act could also be in favor for Democrats, since the high court is currently more conservative than liberal.  The decision could be seen as partisan.