DETROIT, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Detroit rejected challenges to key parts of the new U.S. healthcare reform law, ruling Congress may legislate how people pay for healthcare.
U.S. District Judge George Steeh, ruling in a lawsuit by the Thomas More Law Center -- a Christian legal center based in Ann Arbor, Mich. -- refused a request for an injunction to put a stop to preparations for implementing the Affordable Care Act, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Among other provisions, the law requires Americans beginning in 2014 to purchase health insurance or pay penalties if they don't.
The plaintiffs said they would appeal the ruling. Thomas More Center attorney Robert Muise said the case is sure to reach the U.S. Supreme Court.
"I think it's important that this decision be reversed to prevent Congress from overreaching the way it did in passing the original mandate," Muise said.
The suit is one of dozens being brought nationally in opposition to the healthcare reform law.
A suit brought by 20 state attorneys general is scheduled for a Dec. 16 hearing in Florida, a spokesman for Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox told the Free Press. That suit maintains the government does not have the authority to require people to buy a product but U.S. officials argue such authority comes under Congress' constitutional ability to regulate interstate commerce.
A U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman said the department "will continue to vigorously defend this law in ongoing litigation.''
