Federal appeals judges show support for health care reform law

[jefferson_dem]

Federal appeals judges show support for health care reform law
By Bill Mears, CNN Supreme Court Producer

Richmond, Virginia (CNN) -- A federal appeals court panel expressed strong support Tuesday for the sweeping health care reform bill championed by President Barack Obama. It was the first appellate hearing on the law's constitutionality.

The cases are a certain prelude to eventual Supreme Court review.

Federal district judges in Virginia had earlier issued conflicting rulings on the whether key provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act violate the Constitution, prompting the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to now weigh in.

One controversial section known as the "individual mandate" would require most Americans to buy health insurance by 2014 or face financial penalties.

All three judges hearing the case, named to the bench by Democratic presidents, suggested the law is valid, despite objections from the state as well as private groups and individuals.

<SNIP>

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/10/health.care.courts/index.html

[Keith Bee]

1. One down...

three to go.

[loudsue]

2. This is the one provision of the bill that makes me FURIOUS. Ballistic.

Postal. And it's the key to making sure corporate America rules us all.