Supreme Court to hear ObamaCare case

The Supreme Court said today it will hear five hours of arguments in the health care case that has historic implications for government social policy and the 2012 election.

The Supreme Court decision on the health care law will not only decide the fate of the biggest piece of social legislation since Medicare, it also figures to play a major role in the 2012 presidential election.

The justices will hear arguments on the health care law in March; they are expected to rule by the end of the current term, which normally comes in late June.

Because of the timing of the ruling, the Supreme Court could possibly play a pivotal role in the presidential election next year.  A Supreme Court victory would embolden President Obama to tout the law as a major accomplishment of his first term.

The key legal question is whether the federal government has the right to force most Americans to buy health insurance.