Top Court To Examine Obama-Kaine ‘Individual Mandate’

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on President Barack Obama’s massive health care overhaul, Virginians are reminded that the President’s former hand-picked DNC Chairman Tim Kaine fully supports ObamaCare, including its controversial “individual mandate.”

The Associated Press reports:

The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear arguments next March over President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul – a case that could shake the political landscape just as voters are about to decide if Obama deserves another term. The decision to hear arguments in the spring allows plenty of time for a decision in late June, just over four months before Election Day. This sets up an election-year showdown over the White House’s main domestic policy achievement. The justices announced they will hear more than five hours of arguments, an extraordinarily long session, from lawyers on the constitutionality of a provision at the heart of the law and other related questions about the act. The central provision in question is the requirement that individuals buy health insurance starting in 2014 or pay a penalty.

“The Supreme Court’s decision to weigh in on ObamaCare is yet another reminder to voters that Tim Kaine has spent the last several years in Washington putting his loyalty to President Obama over the best interests of Virginia,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Chris Bond.

Background Information:

Kaine Signaled Support For The Mandate In The Health Care Overhaul

Kaine And Other Democrats Argued The Health Care Law “Does Not Violate The Federal Government’s Authority To Regulate Interstate Commerce Because Health Decisions Have Real World Consequences.” “U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson ruled Monday that the health care reform bill’s requirement that people buy insurance is unconstitutional, handing a partial win to Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. . . . Democrats, including former Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, now chair of the Democratic National Committee, have argued that the law does not violate the federal government’s authority to regulate interstate commerce because health decisions have real world consequences.” (Kimball Payne, “Insurance Mandate Illegal, Judge Rules,” [Newport News, VA] Daily Press, 12/14/10)