What happens to Massachussets if SCOTUS nixes healthcare?

[SoCalDem]

Will people in MA, now lose theirs?

Can a state live by a law that SCOTUS says is unconstitutional?

[abelenkpe]

1. Good question nt.

[BlueDemKev]

2. No, it's a state law

The issue before the court is whether the federal gov't can require you to purchase health insurance. That is separate from what states are allowed to do.

[SoCalDem]

4. So a state "could" make murder a misdemeanor? or allow plural marriage?

[BlueDemKev]

6. I believe so (not that I expect it to happen any time soon)

[golfguru]

14. That is what US Constitution says

Some states hang murderers others don't. So yes, some states could pass laws declaring murder as a mere misdemeanor.

[joeybee12]

3. Nothing...the issue here is whether Congress can mandate it...

Whether states can is not an issue before the SCOTUS.

[Ruby the Liberal]

5. No impact. The big question is interstate commerce

and whether or not congress can create it (mandates) in order to regulate it (AMA bill/"Obamacare&quot

That has no impact on individual states and what they do intrastate, within their own borders.

[PoliticAverse]

7. No. The Supreme Court case is about the powers of the Federal government. n/t

[Common Sense Party]

8. States don't have enumerated powers.

The federal government does.

So, yes, any individual state could have a law like this which includes mandates.

[Johonny]

9. isn't the correct answer how broad the decision by the court is?

[frazzled]

10. Massachusetts is not regulating interstate commerce in its law

Nothing will happen to MA.

In fact, I suppose it's possible that if the mandate is struck down but the law stands otherwise, that many states would enact their own mandates in order to run their exchanges. I think. There are also other solutions to getting people to insure themselves and avoid the problems of "adverse selection" (such as not allowing them to buy insurance any time they want, such as when they get sick: if they pass it up, they won't get another chance till a specific period. Etc.

[hifiguy]

11. Zilch. If it applies to Mass. only the opinion of

the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court is final.

[TheKentuckian]

12. None and depending on why, perhaps no implications of aftershocks.

A bad law there as well but states have a very different standard, usually it is the threat of withholding Federal dollars that gets them in line.

[golfguru]

13. No, because the US constitution gives States unlimited power to make any laws

their elected representatives can pass. The US Constitution limits federal power but not states, except in the area of national defense.