government
Federal judge likely to rule on health reform lawsuit by end of July
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 12, 2010
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia Judge Henry E. Hudson likely will rule by the end of July on Virginia's lawsuit aimed at repealing the national health reform law, according to a July 1 statement by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Virginia is one of at least 21 states that have filed lawsuits to repeal the law, which will require most individuals to maintain a basic level of health insurance or else contribute to a federal fund to expand coverage.
Cuccinelli and his legal team argued the state's lawsuit in court for the first time on July 1. Dept. of Health and Human Services attorneys said the lawsuit should be dismissed because the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause gives the federal government the power to require the purchase of health insurance. However, Cuccinelli said the commerce clause was never intended to regulate commercial inactivity.
Florida and 19 other states have jointly filed a separate lawsuit to repeal the health reform law.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/07/12/gvbf0712.htm.
