The Supreme Court rejected the first challenge to President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform Monday.

United States Supreme Court (Creative Commons)

The appeal, filed by a former Republican state lawmaker in California, did not stand a chance because it never passed through a federal appeals court. The high court tends to decline cases that have not been presented to lower courts first.

More noteworthy, though, is the fact that all nine Supreme Court justices voted on whether or not to hear the case.

Justice Elena Kagan, who has shied away from more than two dozen other cases since joining the court in August, voted on Monday's decision, as did Justice Clarence Thomas, although his contribution was met with criticism. In the past Thomas has been urged to stay away from healthcare cases due to his wife’s involvement in the conservative advocacy group Liberty Central.

Reach staff reporter Jennifer Fong here.

Sign up for Neon Tommy's weekly e-mail newsletter here.