(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine was in attendance this morning for day one of the oral arguments in front of the U.S. Supreme Court in the challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often referred to as "Obamacare."
Ohio is one of 26 states in the case challenging the constitutionality of the "individual mandate" provision of the Act which requires all Americans to purchase health insurance starting in 2014 or face a financial penalty.
"I believe the federal health care act is unconstitutonal – that's why on my first day as Attorney General, I authorized Ohio to join in the suit," Attorney General DeWine said. "This case involves issues that are fundamental to the structure of government and to the powers that Congress can claim to regulate American families. I'm pleased to have been on hand for arguments and I am optimistic that the Court will resolve the important issues at stake."
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in the case over an unusually long period of three days which underscores the significance of the issues involved. The court's ruling, which could come yet this year, would enable individuals, businesses and states to clarify budgets and plans for their respective financial futures.
Ohioans rejected the insurance mandate in a 2-to-1 vote last fall to amend the state's constitution to prohibit any law that compels the purchase of health insurance.
Other states in the case with Ohio are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Eve Mueller: 614-466-3840