Constitution Day 2011 Explores Health Care Law's Individual Mandate

Experts Debate Upcoming Supreme Court Decision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, September 9, 2011 -- American University Washington College of Law will celebrate Constitution Day 2011 by debating the constitutionality of the individual mandate, the centerpiece of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010.

Constitution Day 2011: The Individual Mandate & the Politics of Constitutional Change will take place on Sept. 13, 2011 from 12:00 - 1:20 p.m. The panel will feature constitutional law experts from the law school who will deliberate the merits of the circuit split between the 11th Circuit and the 6th Circuit.

In August 2011, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit found the individual mandate under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to be unconstitutional. This was a reversal from the original federal district court decision on appeal. The issue is likely to be settled by the U.S. Supreme Court perhaps as early as next year.

American University Washington College of Law Event Panelists Include:

  • Benjamin Leff, assistant professor of law. Professor Leff's current research includes the regulation of non-profits and federal tax law.
  • Daniel Marcus, fellow in law & government. In addition to his knowledge of constitutional law and holding several senior positions at the Department of Justice, Professor Marcus has served as deputy general counsel of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
  • Stephen Wermiel, fellow in law & government. An expert on the Supreme Court, Professor Wermiel covered the court for the Wall Street Journal from 1979 until 1991, and covered and interpreted more than 1,300 Supreme Court decisions.
  • Lindsay F. Wiley, assistant professor of law. Considered to be an expert in public health law, Professor Wiley's current research focuses on access to health care and health conditions in the U.S. and globally.

For more information about the event or to register, click here. Media who wish to cover this event should contact Megan Smith, Public Relations Coordinator, (202) 274-4276.

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American University Washington College of Law

In 1896, American University Washington College of Law became the first law school in the country founded by women. More than 100 years since its founding, this law school community is grounded in the values of equality, diversity, and intellectual rigor. The law school's nationally and internationally recognized programs (in clinical legal education, trial advocacy, international law, and intellectual property to name a few) and dedicated faculty provide its 1700 JD, LL.M., and SJD students with the critical skills and values to have an immediate impact as students and as graduates, in Washington, DC and around the world. For more information, visit wcl.american.edu