Supreme Court Declines to Hear Virginia Health Care Reform Case

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The United States Supreme Court today rejected a call from Virginia’s attorney general to depart from its usual practice and put review of the new health care law on a fast track. Instead, judicial review of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will continue in federal appeals courts. The justices turned down a request by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, a leading opponent of the law, to resolve questions about its constitutionality quickly.

The Court’s decision was not considered a surprise because it rarely steps into a legal fight before issues are aired in appellate courts, and at least three hearings are scheduled in appellate courts in May and June. The case still could reach the high court in time for a decision by early summer 2012. More information is available in Psychiatric News at http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/46/1/11.1.full.