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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Conservatives Justices Take Hard Line on Healthcare Law

    One major question raised by the Affordable Care Act is, just how much power does the so-called Commerce Clause give the government? The "mandate" to buy health insurance or pay a penalty if you don't came under harsh attack today in the US Supreme Court.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    One major question raised by the Affordable Care Act is, just how much power does the so-called Commerce Clause give the government? The "mandate" to buy health insurance or pay a penalty if you don't came under harsh attack today in the US Supreme Court. Would it mean the federal government could require Americans to eat broccoli, exercise or buy funeral insurance? Does the Affordable Care Act regulate commerce or create it? Is there any limit to government power? Justices were demanding answers today. How well did the Obama Administration's lawyer respond? What's next for the President's "signature legislative achievement?"

    (Special thanks to Gideon Brower for production assistance.)

    The full episode

    1 of 2
    The Supreme Court Considers the Individual Mandate
    1. 0:00Conservatives Justices Take Hard Line on Healthcare LawYou’re reading this
    2. 43:54Assad Assents to Peace Plan?
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      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

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      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

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      Jess Bravin

      reporter for The Wall Street Journal, author of “Squeaky: The Life and Times Of Lynette Alice Fromme”

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      Andrew Cohen

      senior editor at The Marshall Project, and a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice

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      Dahlia Lithwick

      Author; Senior legal affairs correspondent, Slate; podcast host, Amicus podcast

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    The full episode

    1 of 2
    The Supreme Court Considers the Individual Mandate
    1. 0:00Conservatives Justices Take Hard Line on Healthcare LawYou’re reading this
    2. 43:54Assad Assents to Peace Plan?
    Back to To the Point