Guest Article

(From the June 13, 2011 issue of Deloitte's Washington Bulletin, a periodic update of legal and regulatory developments relating to Employee Benefits.)

Cases Challenging the Validity of the PPACA Move Forward

The U.S. Courts of Appeal have heard oral arguments in four of the five key cases that are now before them to challenge the validity of the individual mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The central issue in these cases is whether Congress has the power under the Commerce Clause to require individuals to purchase health insurance coverage. After the Courts of Appeal weigh in on the issue, it may be headed to the Supreme Court for final resolution. Generally, the Supreme Court can accept review of a case if there is a conflict among the Courts of Appeal, if a state court of last resort decided an important Federal question in a way that conflicts with another such state court, or if a Court of Appeal or state court decided an important question of Federal law that conflicts with a decision of (or should be decided by) the Supreme Court.

It is possible that decisions will issue from the Courts of Appeal quickly enough for the Supreme Court to have the opportunity to review the issue during its upcoming 2011–2012 term (i.e., the term beginning in October 2011).

The information in this Washington Bulletin is general in nature only and not intended to provide advice or guidance for specific situations. If you have any questions or need additional information about articles appearing in this or previous versions of Washington Bulletin, please contact: Robert Davis 202.879.3094, Elizabeth Drigotas 202.879.4985, Mary Jones 202.378.5067, Stephen LaGarde 202.879-5608, Erinn Madden 202.220.2692, Bart Massey 202.220.2104, Tom Pevarnik 202.879.5314, Sandra Rolitsky 202.220.2025, Deborah Walker 202.879.4955. Copyright 2011, Deloitte.