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Yesterday Mathew Staver presented the first oral argument at the federal court of appeals in the case Liberty University v. Geithner, argued at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia. This case was the first private lawsuit filed against the new healthcare law and the first to be argued at the court of appeals. It will also likely be the first such case to reach the United States Supreme Court. 

Breaking the normal protocol of keeping arguments within strict time limits, the court doubled the time for oral argument, thus indicating a high level of interest in the case. This case challenges the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed into law on March 23, 2010.

This law goes far beyond the outer edges of the Constitution by regulating noneconomic inactivity. During oral argument, the Acting Solicitor General admitted that he believed Congress could force individuals to buy certain foods, like wheat. To hear the government’s counsel agree that if the court upheld this massive health insurance law, then Congress could force individuals to purchase certain kinds of food was an astonishing, but true, admission.

Staver led the argument on behalf of Liberty University and two private individuals, which are represented by Liberty Counsel. A decision is expected to be rendered within the next 45 days.

See photos of Healthcare Arguments at Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals

Audio for the case is available online at:  http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/.

Photo is available royalty free. Please credit photographer Christopher Breedlove.

Read our News Release for more details.

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