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Compliance February 10, 2011
Another Health Care Reform Challenge to Get Expedited Review
February 10, 2011 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – A challenge to the health care reform law by a Michigan-based Christian advocacy group will get accelerated review in a U.S. appeals court.
Reported by Rebecca Moore
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an expedited hearing to the Thomas More Law Center. In October, a federal judge in Michigan rejected an argument by the Center and three individuals that Congress cannot require Americans to buy health coverage, deeming the health reform bill constitutional (see Judge Declares HCR Law Constitutional).
Bloomberg reports that the case will be scheduled for oral argument during the court’s session of May 30 through June 10. The ruling puts the case on the same timetable as two appeals in Virginia. The Virginia cases are scheduled to be heard during the May 10 to May 13 argument session, according to Bloomberg.
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s request that the U.S. Supreme Court hear the Virginia appeals prior to review by the appeals court was denied (see DOJ Opposing HCR Reform Challenge Expedited Review Request).
In December, a federal judge in Virginia ruled that the health care law’s requirement that individuals obtain coverage or pay a penalty is unconstitutional (see Feds to Appeal HCR Challenge Ruling).