The Private Action Requirement
Florida International University Law Review, 6, 1
8 Pages Posted: 18 Dec 2010 Last revised: 6 May 2014
Date Written: December 16, 2010
Abstract
This Symposium Essay assesses the constitutional challenge to the individual health insurance mandate. The principal argument against the mandate is that Congress is barred from regulating private inaction (or compelling action) under its Commerce Clause authority. Such a "private action" requirement must be judged by comparison to the state action doctrine of the Fourteenth Amendment, which is the only other general limitation on the power of Congress that distinguishes between acts and omissions. Measured against this principle, the attack on the individual mandate is without merit.
Keywords: health insurance mandate, Commerce Clause
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation