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Demonstrators for and against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act march and chant in outside the U.S. Supreme Court Building on March 26, 2012 in Washington, D.C. Today the high court, which has set aside six hours over three days, will hear arguments over the constitutionality of the act.

Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the most contentious aspect of the Affordable Care Act, the individual mandate. The mandate requires all Americans to acquire health insurance, or pay a financial penalty when they file their income taxes.

Detractors of the individual mandate say the government can't force individuals to buy a product against their will. But supporters say that the health care overhaul fails to protect high-risk, and high-cost, individuals if everyone is not involved in the insurance system.

Guest:

Tijender Singh, editor of SCOTUSblog.