Kevin C. Walsh *
Section 5000A of the Tax Code is one of the most controversial provisions of federal law currently on the books. It is the minimum essential coverage provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA” or “Act”)—a provision more popularly known as the individual mandate. Opponents challenged this provision immediately upon its enactment on March 23, 2010. The Supreme Court is poised to hear arguments about its constitutionality in one of these challenges, just over two years later.
* Assistant Professor, University of Richmond School of Law. J.D., 2002, Harvard Law School; M.A., 1999, University of Notre Dame; A.B., 1998, Dartmouth College.