Healthcare reform inches closer to Supreme Court

The Thomas More Law Center formally asked the Supreme Court this week to reverse an appeals court decision upholding the health care reform law. Marking the first appeal of its kind to reach the nation's highest court, the conservative legal group continues to insist the mandate requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance is unconstitutional. Chiefly, its lawyers say the Affordable Care Act violates the Constitution's Commerce Clause, which allows Congress to regulate economic activity between states. The decision not to purchase health insurance is not an economic activity and is therefore not subject to regulation, the group contends. Since the health care law passed in 2010, more than 30 legal challenges have been filed. Decisions are expected this summer on cases heard before the 4th and 11th circuits that closely resemble the Thomas More case. Both of those cases are likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court, regardless of the outcome.