Emerson: Supreme Court to Hear Arguments on Individual Mandate

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) registered her strong support for taking the case against the Affordable Care Act health care law to the highest court in the land.

"I feel very strongly that the Supreme Court should hear the arguments against the health care law. Not only is this an issue of personal freedom, but it is also an issue of states' rights," Emerson said.

The 2009 law requires Americans to purchase health insurance and levies a penalty for not doing so. Furthermore, it restricts states from choosing to not participate in the individual mandate to carry insurance.

"A challenge to the constitutionality of this mandate is certainly in order. And it is not insignificant that a majority of U.S. states and the small business owners of our nation are bringing this lawsuit to the Supreme Court," Emerson said. "The harshest effects of the law are going to be felt by small businesses and Americans who get health insurance through their employers. The individual mandate is the focus of this court challenge, but the law is full of hidden taxes and will prompt scores of extreme federal regulations."

The lawsuit is sponsored by 26 states and the National Federation of Independent Businesses, who state that the entire law must be found unconstitutional if the individual mandate fails the Supreme Court test.