Health Care Reforms Legal, SC rules today | The Source Weekly - Bend

Health Care Reforms Legal, SC rules today

The controversial health care reforms developed by the Obama Administration and passed by Congress last year are legal, the Supreme Court ruled today.

The controversial health care reforms developed by the Obama Administration and passed by Congress last year are legal, the Supreme Court ruled today.

The reforms mean insurance companies may no longer deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions and that children may remain on their parents health care plans until they are 26, among many other changes. The central provision of new health care law, often called the individual mandate, requires almost all Americans to purchase health care.

The court, in its 5-4 ruling, interpreted the individual mandate provision of the law as a tax, something the government has the authority to levy.

Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the opinion and sided with the four Democratic appointees on the Court in the decision.

In a speech this morning President Barack Obama said he was pleased.

"Today's decision was a victory for people all over this county whose lives are more secure because of this law," said Obama.

For more check out this New York Times article.