No. 348

'A victory for people all over this country': Obama's health reforms pass high court

The US Supreme Court has said President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare reform act is constitutional.

The court upheld a core requirement known as the "individual mandate" that Americans buy insurance or pay a fine.

Of the nine justices on the bench, Chief Justice John Roberts' vote was decisive in the Supreme Court's 5-4 ruling in favour of the law.

The ruling comes months before the US election, with Republicans vowing to push for a repeal of the bill.

Healthcare is a deeply polarising issue in the US and Republicans strongly opposed Mr Obama's legislation.

They were later joined by 13 more states, the National Federation of Independent Businesses and several individuals.

Read more |  BBC News, 29.06.12

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