American judge thwarts Obama's healthcare law

A US judge is blocking one of Barack Obama's key policies

WASHINGTON - A United States judge in Virginia on Monday declared a key part of President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare law unconstitutional in the first major setback on an issue that will likely end up at the Supreme Court.

US District Judge Henry Hudson, appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush in 2002, backed the State of Virginia's argument that Congress exceeded its authority by requiring Americans to start buying health insurance in 2014 or face a fine.