WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court today upheld virtually all of President Barack Obama's historic health care overhaul, including the core requirement that nearly every American have health insurance or pay a tax penalty.
The 5-4 decision was written by Chief Justice John Roberts who sided with the four more liberal associate justices.
Breaking with the court's other conservative justices, Roberts announced the judgment that allows the law to go forward with its aim of covering more than 30 million uninsured Americans. Roberts explained at length the court's view of the mandate as a valid exercise of Congress' authority to "lay and collect taxes." The administration estimates that roughly 4 million people will pay the penalty rather than buy insurance.
The Maui News has posted a poll on our home page and has opened up the poll to comments until 5 p.m. today. Some of the comments may be included in the poll.
