A federal judge in Virginia ruled on Monday that President Obama’s health care reform law exceeds Congress’s authority under the Constitution’s commerce clause.
In striking down a key provision of the law, US District Judge Henry Hudson said Congress does not have the power to order Americans to purchase a private product like health insurance or pay a penalty.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act includes a section requiring every American to purchase a government-approved level of health-care insurance starting in 2014. Those who refuse to abide by this individual mandate would be required to pay a fine assessed each year on their federal tax return.
Full Story: Health care law: why federal judge struck key provision down – CSMonitor.com