U.S. Supreme Court Upholds ACA, Provisions Forcing Americans to Buy Insurance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kaitlyn Buss
Phone: 202-742-8526
Email: kbuss@alec.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 28, 2012) – The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that the federal government can force individuals to purchase health insurance, whether or not they want or need it.  The minimum coverage provision, also known as the individual mandate, of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (P.L. 111-148) was ruled constitutional in a controversial 5-4 split.  Though the Court held that the mandate violates the Commerce Clause, the majority ruled it permissible under Congress’s taxing power.

“States should remain vigilant—the Supreme Court has ruled on the law’s constitutionality, not whether it’s sound public policy,” said Wisconsin State Senator Leah Vukmir, public sector chair for the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Health and Human Services Task Force.  “The fact remains that this sweeping law will not only lead to higher costs and reduced access to care, but that it’s incompatible with the principles of limited government and individual freedom.  Those committed to these principles understand that the cause of liberty can’t be extinguished, not even by the nation’s highest court.”

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The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is the nation’s largest nonpartisan individual membership association of state legislators, with over 2,000 state legislators across the nation and more than 100 alumni members in Congress. ALEC’s mission is to promote free markets, limited government, and federalism throughout the states.