CNSNews posted an article on Friday reporting that Sen. Mary Landrieu (Democrat-Louisiana) was questioned by CNS News as to whether or not requiring Americans to buy health insurance is legal.
The article reports:
"CNSNews.com asked Landrieu: "You mentioned that there will be no employer mandate [in the Senate health care bill] but there is an individual mandate, and several members of Congress have said that an individual mandate is unconstitutional. What part of the Constitution do you think gives Congress the authority to mandate that individuals have to purchase health insurance?""
"That is the question. Both the House and the Senate bills require individuals to purchase health insurance or be fined by the IRS. The article states:
" In 1994, when Hillary Clinton's healthcare proposals were being debated, the Congressional Budget Office stated, "The government has never required people to buy any good or service as a condition of lawful residence in the United States."
"An individual mandate would have two features that, in combination, would make it unique. First, it would impose a duty on individuals as members of society. Second, it would require people to purchase a specific service that would be heavily regulated by the federal government.""
It will be interesting to see (if the healthcare bill passes) if the courts in American are prepared to uphold the constitution.
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