We all knew this was going to happen; it was just a matter of when. Today, the Supreme Court announced it would hear the appeals in the case to strike down — at least in part — the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The lawsuits, filed by attorneys general of numerous states, argue that the portion of the law that requires everyone to purchase some sort of health insurance coverage is unconstitutional.

In two of the three cases that made it to U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal, panels in Virginia and Ohio sided with the White House and the Justice Department, which argued that the mandate is covered by the Commerce Clause because one’s decision to not purchase health insurance qualifies as an act that has a direct impact on interstate commerce, by shifting the cost of the uninsured person’s medical care on to others.

The Atlanta-based 11th circuit ruled against the DOJ, saying that the mandatory coverage clause of the act does not fall under the umbrella of interstate commerce.

Arguments are expected to be heard in March with a decision announced by July.

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