A federal judge in Mississippi has dismissed a lawsuit against the healthcare reform law, citing procedural issues rather than merits of the case, according to a report by Politico.
The action follows a decision by a federal judge in Florida to strike down the entire reform law, based on merits of the case that challenged the constitutionality of the individual mandate to buy health insurance.
The Mississippi case did not get to the merits because the judge said plaintiffs failed to prove they had standing to challenge the law, since it was unlikely they would be affected by the mandate. So far, 13 cases against the law have been thrown out on procedural grounds.
Meanwhile, four lawsuits have been decided on the merits of the case. Two of those decisions upheld the law, one struck down the mandate and the Florida case struck down the whole law. The cases are expected to end up with the Supreme Court in a year or two.
Read the Politico report on the healthcare reform law.
Read more coverage of legal challenges of the healthcare reform law:
– For First Time, Judge Strikes Down Entire Reform Law
– Six More States Seek to Join Suit Challenging Individual Mandate
– Michigan Hospital Executives Concerned about Removing Insurance Mandate
