A blow today to President Obama's health care overhaul. The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta ruled against a portion of the Affordable Care Act.

By a 2 to 1 ruling, judges struck down the mandate that virtually all Americans must carry health insurance or face penalties. The judges ruled the mandate exceeded the government’s power to control interstate commerce.

The National Federation of Independent Business joined 26 states who sued to block the law.

N-F-I-B state director Kyle Jackson says the ruling is good news for small businesses in Georgia.

“All this law does is frankly passes a lot of new taxes and mandates along to small employers in the states.”

But Supporters of the healthcare law say the ruling is a minor setback.

Cindy Zeldin is executive director of Georgians for a healthy future.

“I’m disappointed that the mandate isn’t upheld but ultimately it’s still a move forward with implementation from our perspective and hope the entire law will be upheld.”

The 11th circuit is not the first court to weigh in on the law. A federal appeals court in Cincinnati has upheld the individual mandate.

Experts believe the question will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

Tags: 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Affordable Care Act, The National Federation of Independent Business