WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court says it will hear arguments next March over Pres. Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. The decision to hear arguments in the spring allows plenty of time for a decision in late June, just over four months before Election Day, setting up an election-year showdown on what Obama has called one of his major domestic triumphs. The White House said “We are pleased that the court has agreed to hear this case.” Health secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the announcement means states and insurers will soon be able to move on. “The majority of those courts have indeed ruled that the individual mandate, which has been the most challenged aspect of the law is indeed constitutional,” Sebelius said. Kansas is one of 26 states challenging the law and the Supreme Court has included that case in the review. “I am encouraged that the Court has agreed to hear not only the issues surrounding the constitutionality of the so-called ‘individual mandate’ but also whether Congress exceeded its constitutional authority by threatening to withhold a state’s entire Medicaid allotment unless the state shapes its Medicaid program exactly as Congress commands,” Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said. “These are issues that go to the heart of our federal system and its structured protection of liberty, and it is appropriate for the Supreme Court to resolve them.” Because lower courts have issued contradictory rulings concerning the constitutionality of the law, constitutional expert and Seton Hall law professor Zack Buck told ABC News he’s not surprised that the justices chose to review the law but that he is surprised is that the justices will hear 5 and a-half hours of arguments…longer than usual. Buck said he suspects the extra time is because this ruling will be historic and affect Americans for years to come. “Wrapped up in that also is the identity of the court,” Buck said. “This is Chief Justice (John) Roberts’ kind of first big, capital B-I-G opinion as leader of the court and may define him and his court.”
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m.
