June 30, 2011

Federal appeals court upholds Affordable Care Act challenge

President Barack Obama
President Barack Obama

A U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati upheld President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on Wednesday. The circuit court affirmed a Michigan federal judge's previous ruling that Congress can mandate Americans to purchase health insurance.

The three-judge panel voted 2-1 in favor of upholding the Michigan judge's ruling. So far, there have been more than 30 legal challenges filed against the law. Court watchers expect the case to eventually reach the Supreme Court.

The lengthy majority opinion in the Cincinnati case was written by a Jimmy Carter appointee and agreed with by a George W. Bush appointee, according to the Associated Press. Ronald Reagan appointed the dissenting judge.

The PPACA, in addition to containing the individual mandate for insurance, would also implement changes that would affect long-term care. Among these are the implementation of the Independent Payment Advisory Board to oversee Medicare and the Community Living Assistance Services and Support Act. The controversial CLASS Act would provide long-term and disability insurance for seniors and disabled individuals for the first time under a federal insurance program.
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