Tea Party Protests Health Care Law

Protest comes ahead of Supreme Court arguments

Tea Party activists are making sure their voices are heard as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments on whether President Obama's health care reform is constitutional. 

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, was passed almost exactly two years ago and has been a target of Tea Party activists, who claim it is unconstitutional because it forces everyone to buy a minimum amount of health insurance coverage, barring exemptions for religious reasons or for financial hardship. This requirement is popularly known as the "individual mandate."

On Saturday, a large group of protesters gathered in front of the U.S. Capitol to protest the legislation.  Former Republican presidential hopeful Herman Cain and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli were among those who spoke at the rally. 

A total of 28 states, including Virginia, have filed joint or individual lawsuits to overturn the individual mandate since the law was passed in March 2010, though Cuccinelli is not a direct participant in the case to be heard this week.

The Supreme Court justices will hear six hours of oral arguments over three days, starting Monday morning. They will be considering a challenge mounted to the law by the state of Florida on behalf of two dozen other states. 

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