Health reform law hearing set by House Ways and Means Committee

WASHINGTON—A House panel will hold a hearing next week on the tax ramifications of the Supreme Court ruling upholding the health care reform law's individual mandate.

Under that mandate, most Americans will be required, starting in 2014, to either enroll in a qualified health care plan or pay a financial penalty.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who wrote the majority opinion in last week's 5-4 ruling, said while the federal government does not have the power to force individuals to buy health insurance, “it does have the power to impose a tax on those without health insurance.”

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., who announced the July 10 hearing, described the decision as one that “sets a dangerous precedent with potentially enormous consequences.”

As the House's tax-writing committee, the Ways and Means Committee has a “responsibility to fully understand the court's interpretation of Congress' taxing authority and what that means for potential actions taken” by Congress in the future, Rep. Camp said in a statement.

A hearing witness list is not yet available.