The Supreme Court on Monday announced that it will review the legal challenges against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in early spring 2012.
The high court posted its decision about the federal health reform law online. Four lawsuits challenging the law were presented to the justices, but the court selected only the multistate lawsuit filed by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Business. The Supreme Court also announced it has accepted HHS’ petition to review the overhaul. It is expected that justices will allow about five and a half hours for oral arguments in the case.
In addition, the court will review whether the suit is barred by the Anti-Injunction Act, which prohibits the court from hearing a suit until the plaintiffs can prove harm. In this case, the challenge to the Affordable Care Act could not be heard until 2014 when the individual mandate, and, subsequently, the penalty for not obtaining health insurance, takes effect.
