On February 22, 2011, U.S. District Court Judge Gladys Kessler threw out a lawsuit claiming that the mandate violates the religious freedom of those who rely on God to protect them. The lawsuit was filed by the American Center for Law and Justice, a Christian legal group founded by evangelist Pat Robertson, on behalf of five Americans who can afford health insurance but have chosen not to by it. Judge Kessler adopted the government's position that "Congress was acting within the bounds of its Commerce Clause power." This marks the third decision by Democratic-appointed judges in favor of the health care reform law with two adverse decisions by Republican-appointed judges.
About Sam Fish
Sam Fish has over 40 years of legal experience in federal and state human services laws and programs, having joined PCG in 1995 after serving as Chief Counsel, Region I, for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for more than 25 years. At PCG, Sam provides legal advice and counsel and has served on many projects that required legal research and interpretation and implementation of many federal and state laws.
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