Liberty Univ., Inc. v. Geithner (Summary)

HEALTH REFORM

Liberty Univ., Inc. v. Geithner, No. 6:10-cv-00015-nkm (W.D. Va. Nov. 30, 2010)

The United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia dismissed a lawsuit brought by Liberty University, a physician, and others to challenge the legality and constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the health reform law). Among other things, the plaintiffs in the case alleged that they are Christians who oppose abortion and that it violated their religion to be forced to purchase insurance when the law did not guarantee that no portion of the insurance would fund abortion coverage. The court found that the university and a few of the other plaintiffs had standing to bring the suit, but nevertheless dismissed the case on its merits, for failure to state a viable legal claim. In doing so, the court held that Congress acted in accordance with its constitutionally delegated powers under the Commerce Clause when it passed the coverage provisions of the Act. The court also held that the health reform law’s accommodation of religious exemption for the purchase of health insurance did not violate the Establishment Clause. The court went on to find that the Act was neutral and did not interfere with the plaintiffs’ free exercise of religion. The court likewise rejected the plaintiffs’ claims that, by being forced to purchase insurance, they were being forced to associate with others against their will – in violation of their right to free speech and association.