Federal Appeals Court Upholds Obama’s Health Care Law

CINCINNATI (The Blaze/AP) -- In the first ruling by a federal appeals court on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, a judicial panel in Cincinnati on Wednesday affirmed an earlier ruling that Congress can require Americans to have minimum insurance coverage  (commonly referred to as the "individual mandate").

A conservative law center had challenged the provision, saying that it was unconstitutional and that Congress was overstepping its powers.

The three-judge 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel delivered a long opinion with disagreement on some issues.

The 2-1 majority opinion was written by a Jimmy Carter appointee and agreed with by a George W. Bush appointee. The dissenting judge was appointed by Ronald Reagan. MSNBC has more:

Today's ruling by a federal appeals court in Ohio, upholding the Obama health care law, marks the first time a Republican-appointed judge has found the most controversial part of the law constitutional.

Earlier this month, The Blaze reported on a separate case being heard in the 11th Circuit Court. While this case is not expected to be ruled upon until the end of the summer, the judges had a negative tone when discussing the insurance coverage requirement. The Los Angeles Times has more:

“I can’t find any case like this,” said Chief Judge Joel Dubina of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. “If we uphold this, are there any limits” on the power of the federal government? he asked.

Judge Stanley Marcus appeared to agree. “I can’t find any case“ in the past where the courts upheld ”telling a private person they are compelled to purchase a product in the open market…. Is there anything that suggests Congress can do this?”

More than 30 legal challenges have been filed over the health care overhaul. So far, this latest case bring the total number of decisions upholding the law to four, with two other courts finding it unconstitutional. The case is expected to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.