Health Care Law Struck Down as Unconstitutional

A federal judge in Florida struck down the 2010 health care law, ruling that its individual mandate to buy health insurance is an unconstitutional violation of the Commerce Clause:

Like a Virginia judge in December, Judge Roger Vinson of Federal District Court in Pensacola, Fla., said he would allow the law to remain in effect while the Obama administration appeals his ruling, a process that could take two years. But unlike his Virginia counterpart, Judge Vinson ruled that the entire health care act should fall if the appellate courts join him in invalidating the insurance requirement.

"The act, like a defectively designed watch, needs to be redesigned and reconstructed by the watchmaker," Judge Vinson wrote.

Unsurprisingly, the decision was applauded by House Speaker John Boehner. The 78-page ruling follows:

Decision by a Federal Judge That Obama Health Law Violates Constitution