individual mandate

Supporters of President Obama's health care reform laws got a major boost when a key opponent lost her business. Mary Brown, whose whose standing to sue is integral to the largest lawsuit against Obama's health care reforms, may be forced to abandon her legal challenge.

U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson ruled Monday that Virginia's lawsuit against the health care reform law can proceed to a hearing on the merits. By agreeing that the state has a right to bring the suit, he has, in effect, agreed to rule on the constitutionality of health care reform.