October Term 2011 · Docket 11-393
Does striking the individual mandate require striking the entire health care law?
the sides that brought the case argue the mandate is essential to the law. The government argues the rest survives without it.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Clement argued the mandate is essential to the rest of the Act.
Mr. Kneedler argued the minimum coverage provision is constitutional and severability is not needed.
Justice Sotomayor questioned the economic data on price increases.
Justice Scalia noted that severability tests vary across Court cases.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 19-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-47
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests whether the individual mandate is inseparable from the rest of the health care law. the sides that brought the case claim the mandate supports other provisions. The government claims the law survives without the mandate.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-39
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 28, 2012.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 19-11
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike the entire law if it strikes the mandate.
The government wants the Court to keep the rest of the law if it strikes the mandate.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-39
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the mandate is essential to the community rating and guaranteed issue provisions.
The government argues the minimum coverage provision is consistent with the Constitution and severability is unnecessary.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-39
What the justices asked
Justice Sotomayor asked if the Court should take on more power.
Justice Sotomayor asked if Congress was concerned about rising costs when drafting the law.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-47
Why it matters
This dispute determines whether the health care law survives in part or fails entirely. It defines the limits of congressional power to mandate individual conduct. It shapes the future of federal health policy and state insurance markets.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-39
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 7-19 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 7-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-41 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 19-39 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 19-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 3-5 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 3-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 43-43 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 43-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 47-11 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 47-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 27-39 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 27-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 51-3 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 51-3
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 41-47 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 41-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 35-37 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 35-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 31-7 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 31-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 45-5 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 45-5
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-21 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 21-23 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 21-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 47-9 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 47-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 19-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 19-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-49 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-37 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 3-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 3-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-47 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-47
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 28, lines 41-19 — Transcript, file page 28, lines 41-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 21-9 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 21-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 5-41 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 5-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-45 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-39 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-39
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.