Supreme Court Will Review Health Care Reform Lawsuit

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced it will review the health reform lawsuit brought by 26 states -- including Florida -- and the National Federation of Independent Business.

The states and NFIB claim President Barack Obama and Congress exceeded its power by requiring Americans to buy health insurance starting in 2014 as part of the Affordable Care Act.

"The burden and expense of the healthcare law is a concern for all Americans, but especially for small businesses which pay substantially more for health coverage than large corporations," the NFIB stated in a release.

Florida, which must have a balanced budget, say the state budget could be put at risk if the federal government can force states to expand Medicaid or drop out of the program.

"Throughout this case, we have urged swift judicial resolution because of the unprecedented threat that the individual mandate poses to the liberty of Americans simply because they live in this country. We are hopeful that by June 2012 we will have a decision that protects Americans' and individuals' liberties and limits the federal government's power," Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi stated in a release. "We look forward to presenting oral argument and defending our position that the individual mandate is unconstitutional, that the entire law fails if one part fails, that the Anti-Injunction Act does not apply, and that Medicaid's expansion is unlawfully coercive."

Oral arguments are expected to be heard in March, with a decision announced in late June.

The White House released the following statement from Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer.

"Earlier this year, the Obama Administration asked the Supreme Court to consider legal challenges to the health reform law and we are pleased the Court has agreed to hear this case," Pfeiffer stated in a release.

"Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, one million more young Americans have health insurance, women are getting mammograms and preventive services without paying an extra penny out of their own pocket and insurance companies have to spend more of your premiums on health care instead of advertising and bonuses. We know the Affordable Care Act is constitutional and are confident the Supreme Court will agree."