Court cuts down insurance mandate

ATLANTA — A three-judge panel of the 11th Court of Appeals today shot down the individual mandate portion of President Obama's health care law congress passed in March 2010.
 
Georgia was one of 26 states that joined a federal lawsuit opposing the measure. Here are varied takes on today's ruling:
 
“This ruling is one more reminder to Tea Party and conservative movement activists of the importance of the presidential power to appoint federal judges.” — Richard A. Viguerie, chairman of ConservativeHQ.com.
 
“Today's ruling recognizes the core principles of our federalist system and reminds an over-reaching federal government that the Constitution applies to it, too. We do not, however, agree with all findings in the decision. Unlike the 11th Circuit, we believe that the Obama administration should be taken at its word that the individual mandate is crucial to the whole bill, and that the whole bill should be struck down. But this much is certain: Federal healthcare reform is on life support, and this case will be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States. Today is a huge step toward victory, but it is also a day that emphasizes the importance of the work ahead.” — Gov. Nathan Deal and Attorney General Sam Olens
 
“From its very beginning, the health care package has been sold with incomplete and misleading assessments of its impact on federal and state budgets.  It does nothing to protect or improve access to quality, affordable care – the principles we hold dear when it comes to health care in this nation – and as we continue to learn it will put the country and our struggling states further into financial turmoil.” — U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga.
 
The matter is likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
 
Read the ruling here: http://www.uscourts.gov/uscourts/courts/ca11/201111021.pdf