Health law faces legal challenges and political battles

Senate Republicans target the law's Independent Payment Advisory Board and issue a top-10 list of its biggest problems. Meanwhile, CQ HealthBeat reports on the merits of the "imminent injury" argument that is in play in at least one legal challenge to the law.

Politico Pro: Senate Republicans Pick Up The IPAB Fight
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) took a page from David Letterman, issuing a top 10 list of problems with health care reform's independent Medicare payment board. Barrasso, who is an orthopedic surgeon and a leader of Senate Republicans' health care messaging efforts, picked up the battle a day after Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan attacked the Independent Payment Advisory Board during a high-profile speech. Barrasso distributed a fact sheet on the IPAB — which the GOP has criticized as a rationing agent — during policy lunches Tuesday (Millman, 5/17).

CQ HealthBeat: Judges Question Argument Of 'Imminent Injury' In Challenge To Health Care Law
Could another challenge to the health care law be in danger of going away? Lawyers in a case now on appeal in the 6th Circuit have been asked by the appeals court panel to discuss whether the conservative law center that brought the suit even has the standing — or legal right — to bring the case. The appeals judges directed the lawyers on both sides to submit briefs of not more than 10 pages on whether members of the Thomas More Law Center of Ann Arbor, Mich., are alleging imminent injury "even though they filed their complaint more than three years before the effective date of the challenged provisions" (Norman, 5/17).