Congress was “well within” its constitutional powers when it decided that the way to resolve a crisis in health-care costs and coverage was to mandate that Americans obtain insurance or pay a fine, Reuters quoted the Obama administration as telling the Supreme Court. The government filed its opening brief in the battle over the 2010 health-care overhaul, which has become the most controversial accomplishment of President Obama's domestic agenda. Its resolution will define the court's term. Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. told the court in his initial filing involving the “individual mandate” that the Constitution gives Congress vast powers to regulate economic activity and resolve a “crisis” in the national health-care market. Lawmakers decided that requiring health insurance was the best solution “after years of careful consideration and after a vigorous national debate,” Verrilli told the court. “That was a policy choice the Constitution entrusts the democratically accountable branches to make, and the court should respect it.” Supporters of the legislation were more reluctant at the time it was passed to refer to the fines that would be levied on those who failed to obtain health insurance as a tax.
