In National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, what was ruled unconstitutional?

In National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, the Supreme Court ruled that the individual mandate, which required individuals to purchase health insurance or face a penalty, was unconstitutional under the commerce clause. The Court found that while Congress has the authority to regulate interstate commerce, it cannot compel individuals to engage in commerce by mandating that they purchase insurance. This ruling was significant as it clarified the limits of federal power concerning individual behavior and commerce.

The ruling emphasized the distinction between regulating an existing commercial activity and creating a mandate to engage in commerce, which had not been previously established. The Court articulated that it was a stretch of congressional power to force individuals to buy a product solely to regulate the health insurance market.

Additionally, while other provisions related to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) were also discussed in this case, they did not center around the individual mandate's overreach of congressional authority as defined by the interpretation of the commerce clause.