Today the United States Supreme Court voted to uphold a mandate that is part of President Obama’s health care law. Essentially the mandate requires all individuals to obtain health care or be taxed by the government. Opponents argue that such a mandate is unconstitutional under the Constitution’s commerce clause and the Supreme Court agrees; however, they ruled that the mandate can stay in effect since it works as a tax and it is not within the Supreme Court’s role to “…forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness” according to Chief Justice John Roberts.  The vote for the mandate was five to four.

While this law remains controversial, its effect on health care could be huge. How do you think it will affect the future of health care, and how would this impact the future of nursing?