Federal judge allows states' challenge of health-care reform law to move forward

Federal judge allows states' challenge of health-care law move forward

Judge Roger Vinson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida ruled Thursd ay that a lawsuit brought by 20 states challenging the health-care overhaul law can move forward.

The decision to reject the Obama administration's request to throw out the case was expected, The Washington Post reported Oct. 14. "During oral arguments over the government's motion to dismiss last month, Vinson had indicated that he was likely to rule at least partly in the states' favor. His ruling is limited to the plaintiffs' standing to mount the case, as opposed to its merits – which will be discussed at a summary judgment hearing scheduled for Dec. 16," the Post said.

While dismissing most of the states' other complaints, Vinson ruled that states can contest whether the law's "individual mandate" requiring virtually all Americans to buy health insurance exceeds Congress' constitutional authority to regulate commerce and make laws "necessary and proper" for carrying out its powers.

Judge Roger Vinson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida ruled Thursday that a lawsuit brought by 20 states challenging the health-care overhaul law can move forward.

The decision to reject the Obama administration's request to throw out the case was expected, The Washington Post reported Oct. 14. "During oral arguments over the government's motion to dismiss last month, Vinson had indicated that he was likely to rule at least partly in the states' favor. His ruling is limited to the plaintiffs' standing to mount the case, as opposed to its merits – which will be discussed at a summary judgment hearing scheduled for Dec. 16," the Post said.

While dismissing most of the states' other complaints, Vinson ruled that states can contest whether the law's "individual mandate" requiring virtually all Americans to buy health insurance exceeds Congress' constitutional authority to regulate commerce and make laws "necessary and proper" for carrying out its powers.
Ohio is not part of the litigation.
In addition to Florida, the states party to the suit include: South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Michigan, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Indiana, North Dakota, Mississippi, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia and Alaska. The National Federation of Independent Business has also joined.