ACA on Trial - Part I: Lower Court Cases and Rulings

Health Law and Policy presents a summary of the lower court rulings on the ACA leading up to the Supreme Court's grant of certiorari. [as published on the CAHC website here.]

(References to in "ACA on Trial - Part I: An Overview" - CLICK HERE) 

1.      Court overturned law or part of law: 3 cases:

a.       Florida v. United States Department of Health and Human Services, 648 F. 3d 1235 (11th Cir. 2011) (striking down the individual mandate as beyond Congress’ power to enact under General Welfare Clause and Commerce Clause).

b.      Virginia vs. Sebelius, No. 11-1057 (4th Cir., Sept. 8, 2011) (dismissing state’s challenge to the ACA for lack of standing).

c.       Bachman v HHS, 2011 WL 4072875 (M.D.Pa. 2011) (striking down the individual mandate and three other provisions of the ACA as non-severable).

2.      Court ruled law constitutional and dismissed case: 4 cases

a.       Liberty University, Inc. vs. Geithner, No. 10-2347 (4th Cir., Sept. 8, 2011) (dismissing private parties’ challenge to the individual mandate on the ground that  the action is barred by Tax Anti-Injunction Act, and (in dicta) upholding constitutionality of ACA under General Welfare Clause and Commerce Clause).

b.      Thomas More Law Center vs. Obama, 651 F.3d 529 (6th Cir. 2011) (upholding the individual mandate under Commerce Clause).

c.       Susan Seven-Sky vs. Holder, 766 F.Supp.2d 16 (D.D.C. 2011) (upholding the individual mandate).

d.      Physician Hospitals of America vs Sebilius, No. 6:10-cv-00277-MHS (E.D. Tex., Mar. 31, 2011) (upholding the constitutionality of the Medicare reimbursement provisions of the ACA).

3.      Court dismissed for lack of standing or procedural problems: 9 cases.

a.       New Jersey Physicians vs. Obama, No. 2:10-cv-01489-SDW–MCA (D. N.J. Dec. 8, 2010).

b.      Shreeve et. Al. vs Obama, No. 1:10-cv-00071 (E.D. Ten. Nov. 4, 2010).

c.       Baldwin vs Sebelius, No. 3:10-cv-01033-DMS -WM (S.D. Cal. July 27, 2010).

d.      Independent American Party of Nevada, No. 2:10-CV-1477 JCM (GWF) (D. Nev. March 7, 2011).

e.       Peterson vs Obama, No. 1:2010fp00170 (D.N.H. March 30, 2011).

f.       Purpura et. al. vs Sebilius, 3:10-cv-04814-FLW -DEA (D.N.J. Apr. 21, 2011).

g.       Van Tassel vs US, No. 1:2010cv00310 (M.D.N.C. Dec. 16 2010).

h.      Kinder vs. Geithner, 1:10-cv-00101-RWS (E.D. Mo April 26, 2011).

i.        Bellow v Sebilius, No. 1:2010cv00165 (E.D. Tex June 18, 2011).

4.      Court decision pending: 8 cases

a.       Bryant vs Holder, No. 2:10-cv-00076-KS-MTP (S.D. Miss Feb. 3 2011).

b.      Association of American Physicians and Surgeons vs Sebelius, No. 1:2006cv00319 (D.D.C, filed March 26, 2010).

c.       Calvey et al v. Obama et al, No. 5:10-cv-00353-R (W.D. Okla., Apr. 26, 2011) (dismissing some claims and allowing others to proceed).

d.      U.S. Citizens Association v. Sebelius, No. 5:10-cv-01065, (N.D. Ohio Nov. 22, 2010).

e.       Sissel v. United States Department of Health & Human Services, No. 1:2010cv01263 (D.D.C., filed July 26, 2010).

f.       Coons v. Geithner, No. 2:2010cv01714 (D. Ariz., filed Aug. 12, 2010).

g.       State of Oklahoma vs Sebelius, No. 6:11-cv-00030-RAW (E.D. Okla., filed Jan. 21, 2011).

h.      Enloe et al v. Obama et al, No. 5:2011cv00026 (N.D. Tex., filed Feb. 11, 2011).