The Supreme Court announced Monday that it will hear arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. The court will hear one case – the only one that struck down the individual mandate. The court is expected to hear arguments in March with a decision made by late June.
National media outlets are reporting that of the ACA appeals presented to the court, the Supreme Court will hear only the appeal from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta. Last summer, a three-judge panel in Atlanta ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and that it can be removed from the whole law.
[See more: Health reform's individual mandate is unconstitutional says Atlanta appeals court.]
According to the New York Times, the Supreme Court justices will decide on the constitutionality of the individual mandate. If they determine that the individual mandate is unconstitutional, the justices will also decide on how much of the rest of the ACA can be upheld. The justices will also hear arguments regarding the ACA’s expansion of the Medicaid program.
Follow HFN associate editor Stephanie Bouchard on Twitter @SBouchardHFN.