Moment of decision

The Chicago Tribune ^ | March 25, 2012 | Editorial

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Nine justices, weighing health insurance mandate, will calibrate the government's reach.

..Why is the law so unpopular? The coverage mandate is one reason. Another: The exorbitant cost to American taxpayers.

Remember how the Democrats in Congress scrambled to keep the projected price tag for the health care bill under $1 trillion?

Now the real numbers are lumbering into view. The Congressional Budget Office recently issued a new spending estimate for the health law's provisions over the next decade: $1.76 trillion — or about twice what the president had touted.

How'd that happen? Early estimates included four years in which the health care program was not fully operating.

More bad news: CBO now estimates that more businesses will opt to drop health coverage for employees and instead pay penalties mandated by this law.

Will the rest of the law now sink in the same quicksand? Nine justices will answer that question. Their decision is expected by June.

If Congress has to start over, fine. There are plenty of good options for retaining the health care law's best features while also expanding care to people who aren't insured. Unlike the current law, those proposals are carefully tailored — and don't put taxpayers at such great risk.

[itsahoot]

Thank you Pollster, Maybe you could forward that on the Justice Roberts, I doubt he has read it. {:-)

I have saved the article in my notes, to be recalled at the peck of a couple keys. Hopefully others here will read as well.

[Monorprise]

The question of American Freedom, and American Federal Constitutional limits is once again raised. Will the Federal employees in black robes side with their employer, or will they decide to bite the hand that feeds them power & position?

Regretful this history of this long failed federal-institution in a compromised position does not bold well for freedom in theses united States.