There are some court decisions that transcend the parameters of legal specialties because they have an impact on all U.S. citizens and should be of interest to all lawyers. The recent decision by a U.S. District Court in Virginia is one of those decisions. The court denied a motion to dismiss a constitutional challenge to the recently enacted health care bill that includes a provision that would impose a penalty on those who do not purchase personal health insurance. The constitutional issues are raised because this appears to be the first time that the federal government is requiring that a product be purchased whether one wants it or not–upon penalty of a fine. Unlike car insurance which is mandatory for those who drive a car, one can make the choice not to drive. Apparently, under the new bill, one does not have the choice to refuse to purchase health insurance. This raises many deep and fundamental issues about the role of government and what limits the U.S. Constitution places on government power. Read decision here.