Georgia Chamber Files Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case Challenging Federal Health Care Act
Press release from the issuing company
Tuesday, February 14th, 2012
The Georgia Chamber today joined 14 other state chambers and business organizations from across the nation in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court case challenging the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The brief requests that the constitutionality of the federal health care law passed in 2010 be decided without delay in order to relieve uncertainties now facing employers and their employees.
“The constitutionality of the law as passed has been questioned, as have a number of the provisions it contains. As a result, businesses do not have a clear understanding of what will be required of them in the future and – as importantly – what that will cost,” said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber. “Companies are delaying hiring decisions at a time when we need to be putting people back to work in order to restore our economy. The sooner a clear path forward is defined, the sooner employers will be able to make those decisions.”
The amicus brief filed today contains two primary arguments. First, that despite arguments to the contrary, the U.S. Anti-Injunction Act does not bar the Supreme Court from ruling on the constitutionality of the individual insurance mandate at the center of the federal health care law; and, second, that delaying a ruling will create a costly and harmful burden on American businesses.
The brief was prepared by William V. Custer, a partner at the law firm of Bryan Cave LLP in Atlanta and a member of the Georgia Chamber’s law & judiciary policy committee. Co-signers on the brief include:
• Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce
• Florida Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Chamber of Commerce
• Illinois Chamber of Commerce
• Indiana Chamber of Commerce
• Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
• Michigan Chamber of Commerce
• Ohio Chamber of Commerce
• State Chamber of Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce
• Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Texas Association of Business
• Association of Washington Business
• Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments March 26-28 in the case, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, et al v. the State of Florida, et al.
