Health care reform law faces 1st legal test in Va.; judge to rule later on whether to dismiss

Judge hears arguments in Va. health care lawsuit

RICHMOND, Va. — The Obama administration’s health care reform law is getting its first legal test in Virginia.

A federal judge in Richmond heard arguments Thursday on the administration’s motion to dismiss Virginia’s lawsuit challenging the new law. The Justice Department claims Virginia lacks standing to sue and that Congress acted within its constitutional authority in passing the law.

U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson said he will rule on the motion within a month.

More than a dozen other states have filed a separate lawsuit challenging the law, but Virginia’s is the first to go before a judge.

The hearing was held the same day a new state law takes effect exempting Virginia residents from being required to have health insurance, which is a key part of the federal law.