Iowa City man sues U.S. over health reform
An Iowa City man temporarily residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to study art has filed a lawsuit against the United States, challenging the constitutionality of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, according to a complaint filed July 26.
An "individual mandate" in the law requires that everyone purchase health insurance or be subject to a financial penalty.
Matt Sissel, 29, stated that he is able to and does pay for a all of his medical expenses out of pocket.
Sissel's counsel, the Pacific Legal Foundation, argues that Congress cannot force individuals to purchase health insurance under the Commerce Clause, according to the lawsuit.
The defendants are the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.
Sissel is seeking declaratory judgment in the claim that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act exceeds Congress' authority.
He is also seeking judgment in the amount of the cost of filing the lawsuit, attorney fees, and anything else the court deems just.
— by Ryan Roccaforte
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