A Florida federal judge is permitting a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the healthcare reform law to proceed to trial.
Judge Roger Vinson of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida is allowing the lawsuit’s claim that the individual coverage mandate violates the Constitution. He also is permitting the claim that the law coerces states to participate in the expansion of Medicaid. He is dismissing all other claims in the suit.
Attorneys general in Florida and 19 other states have filed the lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services. The law eventually will require universal healthcare coverage and a massive expansion of the Medicaid program.
