Some Justices Seem Open To Saving Parts Of Health Law

WASHINGTON (AP) — Several Supreme Court justices seem receptive to the idea that portions of the health care law can survive even if the court declares the heart of the law unconstitutional.

On the third and last day of arguments, the justices are questioning Paul Clement, a lawyer for 26 states seeking to have the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act tossed out in its entirety.

In their questions, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg — and even conservative Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Antonin Scalia — seem open to the idea that the wide-ranging law contains provisions that can be saved — even if the mandate is struck down.