The highest court in the United States is considering the constitutionality of
the new health care law. The Supreme Court heard three days of arguments this
week over the question of what is called the individual mandate. It is part of
the Affordable Care Act, which Congress passed and President Obama signed into
law two years ago.
The individual mandate requires all Americans to buy
health insurance by twenty fourteen or face a fine. Twenty-six states and a
group representing small businesses say the law is unconstitutional.
If the
law takes effect, about thirty million Americans not currently covered will have
to join the health insurance system. Supporters say this will reduce health care
costs for all Americans. For opponents, the question is whether the federal
government has the right to tell people what they can or cannot do. During
arguments, Justice Antonin Scalia put the question in a
company this way.
The Obama administration says the law has already helped
millions of Americans. It says over two million young people have remained on
their parents' health insurance plans since September twenty ten. Before then,
many young people lost health coverage after they left home or reached a certain
age.
Health care costs are growing at a rate that many experts say cannot be
supported. The Council of Economic Advisers advises the president on economic
issues. It warns that, at the current growth rate, health care spending will be
responsible for thirty-four percent of the economy by twenty forty. Currently,
health care is almost one fifth of the economy.
That is a big problem for the
federal government. It pays for Medicare, health insurance for older adults, and
Medicaid, the program for poor people. And as the population ages, more people
will depend on these programs.
During the arguments this week, Justice
Stephen Breyer noted the issue's importance.
The high court is expected to
rule on the individual mandate in June. But the effects of the ruling are
expected to influence health care policy for years to come.
