Judge: Health care case should be expedited

ATLANTA — A federal judge on Thursday declined to block the controversial health care from taking effect, but said the case should “move forward as soon as practically possible.”

In January, U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson said the federal government cannot force people to buy health care insurance. But, in response to a motion from the federal government, Vinson stayed his ruling.

“Almost everyone agrees that the Constitutionality of the Act is an issue that will ultimately have to be decided by the Supreme Court of the United States,” Vinson wrote. “It is very important to everyone in this country that this case move forward as soon as practically possible.”

Georgia joined more than two dozen other states in challenging the health care law. The lawsuit was initially filed by the state of Florida.
“Judge Vinson’s order today is a victory for the millions of taxpayers and businesses that face overwhelming burdens if President Obama’s federal healthcare reform is allowed to stand,” Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens said in a statement. “We have known from Day One that this case will not end until the day the U.S. Supreme Court issues a ruling, and Judge Vinson’s order brings that day much closer. I will continue to work with NFIB and the 25 other states involved in the lawsuit to vigorously defend our State and the U.S. Constitution, and by extension, the rights of all Georgians throughout all stages of the litigation.”