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    March 27, 2012

Supreme Court Debate Continues Over Health Care Overhaul

   VOA News
   Healthcare law proponents (L) walk past opponents from the Tea Party
   Patriots group (R) on the sidewalk outside ongoing legal arguments over
   the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the Supreme Court in
   Washington, March 26, 2012. Photo: Reuters
   Healthcare law proponents (L) walk past opponents from the Tea Party
   Patriots group (R) on the sidewalk outside ongoing legal arguments over
   the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act at the Supreme Court in
   Washington, March 26, 2012.

   The U.S. Supreme Court will continue hearing arguments Tuesday on
   President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, a landmark case that
   could affect the life of nearly every American.
   During the nearly 90-minute hearing Monday, the justices' intensive
   questioning indicated that a legal issue with the potential to derail
   the case will not stand in the way of the proceeding.

   The central issue in this case is a provision in the law requiring
   nearly all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty. If the
   penalty is considered a tax the court would be unable to consider the
   case before takes effect
   Supporters of the measure say the provision is needed to spread the
   cost of health care among all Americans. Opponents are arguing the
   measure violates the Constitution and tramples individual liberties.

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