PENSACOLA, Fla. — Attorneys for 20 states fighting the new federal health care law say it will expand the government’s powers in dangerous and unintended ways.

But U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson questioned at a hearing in Florida today how the government can halt massive changes to the health care system that have already begun.

Earlier this week, a federal judge in Virginia ruled in a separate case that citizens can’t be forced to buy health insurance. That case is likely to end up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The states in the Florida case are asking Vinson to issue a quick ruling in their favor.

Attorneys for the Obama administration were expected to ask him later today to rule that the states don’t have standing to challenge the law.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.