It’s judgment day for President Barack Obama, as the Supreme Court is set to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
STORY: What Will Happen? Supreme Court Health Care Ruling & The Possible Outcomes
President Obama’s signature legislative accomplishment will come down to a historic decision that will reshape the course of American politics.
Shortly after 10 am Chief Justice John Roberts is expected to reveal the high court’s verdict on Obama’s health care overhaul.
Between 400 and 500 people will crowd into the marble courtroom, the only witnesses to a historic moment that will not be broadcast live on television or radio. Some of those hoping for seats already were in line early Wednesday afternoon.
Four major issues await resolution, the most important of which is whether the law’s centerpiece requirement that most people have health insurance or pay a penalty is constitutional. The justices also are weighing whether other parts, or indeed the entire 2010 law, should fall if they strike down the insurance requirement.
The case began as soon as Obama signed the law on March 23, 2010 and the court has been arguing over its legality ever since. Immediately after the signing, Florida and 12 states filed the lawsuit that ended up at the Supreme Court. Another 13 states later joined in later.
The justices met March 30 to take a vote on the case and sort out who would take the lead in writing the opinions. In a case of this magnitude, the chief justice probably is writing the majority opinion, assuming he is in the majority.
The heart of the challenge was the claim that Congress could not force people to buy a product – health insurance. The outcome of today’s decision will surely affect Barack’s presidency bid come this November.
