White House won't seek to delay High Court healthcare review

Somewhat unexpected.

The Obama administration opened the door Monday for the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionally of the healthcare law before the next election.

It opted not to seek a delay in the legal process, leaving little doubt that the court will rule on President Obama’s controversial legislation just months before he faces voters.

A three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in August that the healthcare law’s individual coverage mandate is unconstitutional. The Justice Department declined to ask the full 11th Circuit to review the decision, clearing the way for a petition to the Supreme Court.

Legal experts have said they expect the Supreme Court to rule on the mandate in the summer of 2012. If the Obama administration had wanted to try to slow down the proceedings — possibly delaying them until after the election — an “en banc” review from the 11th Circuit was seen as its best opportunity.