Federal Judge Nominated by Obama Dismisses Maryland ‘Obamacare’ Suit

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by the state of Maryland seeking a ruling that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is lawful, even after Congress repealed a tax penalty tied to it.

U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander on Friday rejected the “Obamacare” suit in a 47-page decision, although she said Maryland could bring its suit at a later time if that’s warranted.

(Related: ACA Battle Now Before a Baltimore Judge Picked by Obama)

The decision has no immediate impact on health care law.

The case had also attracted attention because Maryland sought to disqualify Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker from participating in the case.

“The effect of the court’s ruling today is simply that we must wait to pursue our case,” Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh said in a statement.

A federal court in Texas has ruled that the ACA is unconstitutional because it imposes an unconstitutional requirement on some people to have major medical insurance, through an “individual mandate” provision in the ACA that requires many people to have a minimum level of health coverage. The judge who issued that ruling suspended the effects of the ruling while the ruling is being appealed.