WASHINGTON (Jan. 14, 2015) — The U.S. Supreme Court rejected on Jan. 12 without comment an appeal by two health-related associations of various aspects of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The high court denied certiorari to the appeal brought by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons and the Alliance for Natural Health USA. The two groups sought to overturn those aspects of the ACA that affect individuals, especially the “individual mandate” that levies taxes against people who do not obtain health insurance.
A federal district court ruled against the associations in 2012, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld the lower court in March 2014.
The same day the Supreme Court rejected its appeal, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons posted an article on its website, written by Executive Director Dr. Jane Orient, criticizing the Obama administration for forcing people to buy health insurance.
“We can't just wipe out programs that people are dependent upon — although they are headed to inevitable bankruptcy,” Dr. Orient wrote.
“But why not let people turn down the benefits and ‘protections' if they choose to do so? That way we could relieve pressure on the programs, while finding out how the way of freedom is better.”