The Supreme Court upheld the health care law on Thursday, June 28, 2012 — giving President Obama a major victory.
President George W. Bush-appointed Chief Justice John Roberts provided the key vote to preserve the landmark health care law, which political pundits pontificate is a key issue in Obama’s re-election bid against Republican opponent Mitt Romney.
The justices said that while Congress did overreach in part with the individual mandate — the requirement that most Americans buy health insurance or pay a fine — the provision is held constitutional as a tax.
The individual mandate that requires nearly all Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty will go into effect in a year and a half. Free wellness exams for seniors and allowing children up to age 26 to remain on their parents’ health insurance policies will remain active.
