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Akerman Practice Update Akerman Practice Update HEALTHCARE September 2011 Constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Bruce D. Platt [email protected] Sheryl Rosen [email protected] Multiple court challenges have resulted from passage of the federal health care reform law – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act1 (“PPACA”). Here’s how the cases stand today: Circuit Court Case Circuit Ruling Status Plaintiffs have requested Thomas More Law Center v. th Constitutional review by the U.S. Obama 6 Supreme Court. Florida v. U.S. Dept. of Health and th Unconstitutional Human Services 11 Dismissed. Virginia ex rel. Cuccinelli v. Sebelius Plaintiffs lack the and th right to challenge Liberty University, Inc. v. Geithner 4 the law. (consolidated cases) (lack “standing”) Oral argument Seven-Sky v. Holder D.C. Pending is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2011 U.S. Citizens Association v. th Pending Sebelius 6 1 Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (Mar. 23, 2010). Akerman Senterfitt • Akerman Senterfitt LLP • Attorneys at Law BOCA RATON DALLAS DENVER FORT LAUDERDALE JACKSONVILLE LAS VEGAS LOS ANGELES MADISON MIAMI NAPLES NEW YORK ORLANDO PALM BEACH SALT LAKE CITY TALLAHASSEE TAMPA TYSONS CORNER WASHINGTON, D.C. WEST PALM BEACH akerman.com Practice Update HEALTHCARE September 2011 Most of the cases challenging PPACA hinge on one major issue: Is it “The court constitutional for the federal government to require Americans to obtain health reasoned that the insurance? This requirement is commonly called the “individual mandate.” act of foregoing So far, two U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals have reached substantive rulings. On June 29, 2011, the Sixth Circuit Court in Thomas More Law Center v. health insurance Obama concluded the individual mandate in PPACA is constitutional.2 It found the individual mandate is a valid use of Congress’ power to regulate is the practice interstate commerce3 – a power granted by the Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution.4 The court reasoned that the act of foregoing health insurance of self-insuring is the practice of self-insuring because individuals without insurance, in the aggregate, do participate in the health care market.5 Thus, engaging in self- because individuals insurance is economic activity that Congress may regulate under its Commerce without insurance, Clause power.6 The plaintiffs in Thomas More have filed a petition requesting U.S. Supreme Court review.7 The Supreme Court has not decided whether it in the aggregate, will hear the case. do participate in Conversely, on August 12, 2011, the Eleventh Circuit Court in Florida v. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services ruled that the individual mandate is the health care unconstitutional.8 It found that PPACA is not authorized by the Commerce Clause power because instead of regulating commerce, PPACA requires market.” “non-market participants to enter into commerce so that Congress may regulate them.”9 The court stated there is no precedent allowing the federal government to require all individuals to purchase a product.10 Defendants in the case have not yet petitioned for Supreme Court review. However, because the Eleventh Circuit ruling in Florida conflicts with the Sixth Circuit in Thomas More, both cases have become more ripe for a Supreme Court decision. Additionally, on September 8, 2011, the Fourth Circuit Court dismissed Virginia ex rel. Cuccinelli v. Sebelius and Liberty University, Inc. v. Geithner. The 2 Thomas More Law Center v. Obama, 10-2388 (6th Cir. June 29, 2011). 3 Thomas More, slip op. at 18. 4 U.S. Const. art. I, § 8. 5 Thomas More, slip op. at 25. 6 Id at 19. 7 Thomas More Law Center v. Obama, No. 11-117 petition for cert. (U.S. July 26, 2011). 8 Florida v. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 11-11021 and 11-11067 (11th Cir. Aug. 12, 2011). 9 Florida, slip op. at 167 (emphasis in original). 10 Id at 115-16. akerman.com Practice Update HEALTHCARE September 2011 court ruled it lacked jurisdiction to hear the Liberty University case because “The Fourth Circuit the Anti-Injunction Act11 prevents federal courts from deciding the legality of found that because a tax or other exaction that hasn’t been collected yet.12 In Virginia ex rel. Cuccinelli, the Fourth Circuit ruled that the State of Virginia did not have the the VHCFA does legal right or “standing” to sue.13 States are generally barred from suing the federal government on behalf of their citizens,14 but the State of Virginia argued not regulate PPACA conflicts with the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act15 (VHCFA), which anything or create declares that no Virginia resident may be compelled to obtain health insurance. The Fourth Circuit found that because the VHCFA does not regulate anything any state program, or create any state program, PPACA does not prevent the State of Virginia from exercising any sovereign state power.16 Thus, the court ruled Virginia has PPACA does not no legal grounds to claim PPACA causes any “injury” to it – a prerequisite for prevent the State bringing a lawsuit.17 of Virginia from Although the ruling in Virginia ex rel. Cuccinelli might affect other cases in which a state is a plaintiff, it does not have implications for Florida v. U.S. exercising any Dept. of Health and Human Services. Although Florida and 26 other states are plaintiffs in that case, two individuals are also plaintiffs, and the defendants sovereign state conceded that one of the individuals does have standing to sue.18 power.” For more information, please contact a member of our Healthcare practice. Akerman is ranked among the top 100 law firms in the U.S. byThe National Law Journal NLJ 250 (2011) in number of lawyers and is the leading Florida firm. With 500 lawyers and government affairs professionals, Akerman serves clients throughout the United States and overseas from Florida, New York, Washington, D.C., California, Colorado, Virginia, Nevada, Utah, and Texas. 11 Anti-Injunction Act, I.R.C. § 7421(a).3 Thomas More, slip op. at 18. 12 Liberty University, Inc. v. Geithner, No. 10-2347, slip op at 15-21 (4th Cir. Sept. 8, 2011). 13 Virginia ex rel. Cuccinelli v. Sebelius, No. 11-1057 (4th Cir. Sept. 8, 2011). 14 Id at 22. 15 Va. Code Ann. § 38.2-3430.1:1. 16 Virginia ex rel. Cuccinelli, No. 11-1057, slip op. at 25-26 (“[T]he VHCFA merely declares, without legal effect, that the federal government cannot apply insurance mandates to Virginia’s citizens. This non-binding declaration does not create any genuine conflict with the individual mandate, and thus creates no sovereign interest capable of producing injury-in-fact.”) 17 Id. 18 Florida v. U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, 11-11021 and 11-11067, slip op. at 8-9. This Akerman Practice Update is intended to inform firm clients and friends about legal developments, including recent decisions of various courts and administrative bodies. Nothing in this Practice Update should be construed as legal advice or a legal opinion, and readers should not act upon the information contained in this Update without seeking the advice of legal counsel. ©2011 Akerman Senterfitt, Akerman Senterfitt LLP. All rights reserved. .
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