Federal appellate court weighs health care reform law

Another sortie in the struggle to overturn the Patient Protection and Affordability Act played out in an Atlanta federal appeals court last week, as lawyers representing 26 states opposing the health reform law squared off against the U.S. Justice Department. Oral arguments lasted nearly 2.5 hours, according to published reports.

The appellate court will decide whether to uphold U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson’s decision striking down as unconstitutional the individual mandate requirement. Judge Vinson’s original ruling held that if the individual mandate is unconstitutional, then the entire health care reform law is unconstitutional.

Hearing the case were three randomly selected judges: Chief Judge Joel Dubina, appointed by President George H. W. Bush; Circuit Judges Frank Hull and Stanley Marcus, both appointed by President Bill Clinton.

Attorneys representing both sides have stated that the cases ultimately will go to the U.S. Supreme Court for a final ruling. Some court watchers believe the high court will issue a decision prior to the 2012 election. Michigan is among the states seeking the invalidation of the health reform law.

The Michigan Dental Association and MDA Insurance are closely monitoring the litigation, as well as ongoing rule making, and will keep members informed for new developments.