More court hearings for health law legal challenges

This week, the Pacific Legal Foundation will make oral arguments in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Its challenge claims the health law imposes new taxes unconstitutionally. Meanwhile, a Connecticut couple has filed a lawsuit against the state's online insurance marketplace over "moral principles" because they can't buy a health plan on the exchange that excludes abortion coverage.

The Associated Press:  Group Challenges Health Law As Unconstitutional
The Sacramento-based Pacific Legal Foundation this week will take another step in its challenge to President Barack Obama's health care law, claiming it imposes new taxes unconstitutionally. The foundation, which advocates for limited government, is scheduled to make oral arguments Thursday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. A district court ruled last year against the foundation, which filed the case on behalf of Iraq war veteran and Washington state small business owner Matt Sissel (Lin, 5/5).

The CT Mirror: Couple Sues Over Abortion Coverage In Access Health CT Plans
Thanks to subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, Barth and Abbie Bracy of Dayville can buy a comprehensive health insurance policy through Access Health CT for only $2.63 a month. But they are suing the exchange, and federal officials, over what they say are moral principles. Barth Bracy is executive director of Rhode Island State Right to Life and a deacon at his Catholic church. He and his wife strongly oppose abortion. With the help of a conservative, pro-life group, the couple is suing Access Health CT, outgoing Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and other federal officials because they say Connecticut's health exchange does not offer any policies that exclude abortion coverage (Radelat, 5/5).