AG says Supreme Court tough to read on health law

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem says the U.S. Supreme Court is struggling about what to do with the federal health care law if its insurance mandate is tossed out.

The law requires people to buy health insurance or pay a fine if they don't have coverage. Opponents of the law say Congress shouldn't have the power to order people to buy something.

On Wednesday the justices heard arguments about what should happen with the law if the insurance mandate is thrown out.

Stenehjem says the justices are wrestling with the issue of how much of the federal health care law should survive if the insurance mandate is tossed. Stenehjem says the mandate is a central part of the law itself.

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