(WINSTON-SALEM) -- A Supreme Court ruling on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul could come as the presidential campaign heats up next year. The administration has appealed a ruling that struck down a requirement that Americans buy health insurance or face a penalty. Wake Forest University professor Mark Hall said the case is on a fast track.

"Something like this might usually take four to six years, but I think everybody realizes the importance of the issue and the importance of getting this sort of lingering uncertainty resolved so the Supreme Court hasn't yet taken the case but now that it appears the government is going to be asking the court to take it, it would be a surprise to everyone if the court declined to take it," said Hall.

Opponents have asked the high court to throw out the whole law.