U.S. District Judge Likely to Allow Lawsuit Challenging Healthcare Reform to Proceed

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson indicated last Tuesday that he will likely allow a lawsuit to proceed that challenges the Constitutionality of the Healthcare Reform law.  The lawsuit, filed by 20 states, the National Federation of Independent Business and two individuals, challenges whether the Constitution permits the federal government to mandate Americans to purchase health insurance.  Earlier this summer the Obama Administration requested Judge Vinson to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that the challenge requests the court to overturn precedent enforcing the federal government’s power to regulate interstate commerce.

After a two-hour hearing with the parties, Judge Vinson indicated that he would likely deny the federal government’s motion to dismiss on at least the count addressing whether Congress can require most citizens to purchase health insurance.

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