I think the biggest news in this is that Frank Hull voted to overturn the mandate. She (yes, Judge Hull is a woman) is generally considered a “moderate-liberal” and was a Clinton appointee. I’d say she’s further to the left politically than Stevens who more often touts a libertarian route. If she voted against it chances are so will Stevens. And as stated supra, a Stevens vote means a 5-4 vote to overturn the mandate.
That should read Kennedy, not Stevens... stupid mistake