Justice Dept wants speedy health care ruling

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MARK SHERMAN

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Justice Department is joining calls by states and a business group for prompt Supreme Court review of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

The department says it will file its appeal with the high court later Wednesday asking the justices to uphold the constitutionality of the law and throw out a federal appeals court ruling that struck down a key provision.

The word from Justice is the Obama administration's first indication that it wants an up-or-down ruling before the 2012 presidential election on the law that aims to extend insurance coverage to more than 30 million Americans.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20110928/D9Q1NFQ82.html

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Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, 91, works in his office at the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. His new book is titled "Five Chiefs: A Supreme Court Memoir," a personal reflection on the five chief justices he has known. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

[AndyTiedye]

1. Might as Well Get the Bad News Out of the Way I Guess

Give us some time to try to do damage control. We're gonna need it.

[Shadowflash]

2. Yup.

It'll be a 5 to 4 decision saying it's unconstitutional.