The U.S. Supreme Court released four rulings Thursday which did not include the high-profile case on federal health care. A ruling on this case is expected next week.
Over three days in March, the court heard four oral arguments in Florida v. Department of Health & Human Services.
First, the Justices have to decide whether challenges to the individual mandate in the Affordable Health Care, requiring individuals to purchase health insurance, can be heard before the law takes effect, and if so, whether the individual mandate is constitutional.
They then review the issue of "severability" -- if the individual mandate is stricken, can the rest of the law remain in effect?
And finally, the court considers whether the Act's Medicaid expansion violates the constitution.
On April 25, 2012, the court took up Arizona v. U.S, which decides whether federal immigration law takes precedence over Arizona's law giving local police the power to crack down on illegal immigrants.
Among the eight remaining decisions to be released today or over the course of next week, three will resolve First Amendment issues.
Knox v. Service Employees International Union, heard on January 1, 2011, will decide if the First Amendment gives state employees the right to decline to pay union dues used for political advocacy by the union.
FCC v. Fox Television, heard on the same day as Knox, is a free speech challenge to federal broadcast decency rules.
And U.S. v. Alvarez, heard on February 22, 2012, will decide if a federal law that makes it a crime to lie about receiving military medals or honors violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of the right to free speech.