As the first ruling in federal court to declare a portion of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unconstitutional, Virginia Judge Henry Hudson’s Dec. 13 finding that the individual mandate provision falls outside “constitutional boundaries” puts a kink in the armor of President Barack Obama’s health reform package — but the battle over PPACA is just beginning.
Supporters of PPACA were quick to point out that Hudson’s decision is one among many (more than two dozen cases have been filed across the U.S.) and only applies to the requirement that all Americans buy health insurance or pay a penalty by 2014.
