A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed Liberty University's lawsuit challenging the Obama administration's new federal health care law, declaring that a provision requiring most individuals to obtain insurance is constitutional.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Norman Moon in Lynchburg is the second court decision upholding the law, following one in Michigan in October. University law school dean Mathew Staver said in a telephone interview that he will promptly appeal the ruling to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond.
Attorneys general from several states have filed another lawsuit in Florida, and a separate challenge by Virginia Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli is pending in federal court in Richmond.
Both sides expect the issue to ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
"In the weeks ahead, there will be additional court cases examining this matter and the health reform law," Stephanie Cutter, assistant to the president for special projects, wrote in a White House blog post. "We can't predict the outcome of each case, but we are confident that we will ultimately prevail in court and continue to deliver the benefits of reform to the American people."
U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson has said he expects to rule in Cuccinelli's lawsuit by the end of the year.
