Health Care Providers, In the biggest win for President Barack Obama since his historic 2008 election, the U.S. Supreme Court today upheld Obama’s signature Affordable Care Act.

In a 5-4 decision written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court ruled that the controversial individual mandate, requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance or pay up, was constitutional.

The decision means the historic overhaul will continue to go into effect over the next several years, affecting the way people receive and pay for personal medical care.

The ruling also handed Obama a campaign-season victory in rejecting arguments that Congress went too far in requiring most Americans to have health insurance.

“There is no doubt that this is a huge political win for the Obama administration,” said state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn). “And it’s a big personal win for Barack Obama. He staked his presidency on this.”

The justices rejected two of the administration’s three arguments in support of the insurance requirement. But the court said the mandate can be construed as a tax.

“Because the Constitution permits such a tax, it is not our role to forbid it, or to pass upon its wisdom or fairness,” Roberts said. (SILive)