The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals is the focus today in the legal battle over the Obama health law, as a three judge panel will hear arguments in two cases from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Most people probably are familiar with the case brought by the Attorney General of Virginia, which won a district court ruling that the individual mandate - which requires people to buy health insurance - is unconstitutional.
But many maybe aren't so familiar with the other case that is involved today, which was argued only 100 miles away from the one brought by the Commonwealth, where a federal judge upheld the Obama health law.
So, both cases have been combined for today's arguments before the Fourth Circuit.
The multi-state case, which involves Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma and over two dozen states in all, goes before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta four weeks from tomorrow.
There are other cases still working their way through a variety of circuits as well, one reason legal experts think this issue could well make it on to the docket of the U.S. Supreme Court by early 2012 at the latest.
Court officials are ready for a big turnout from the media and other interested parties, notifying the press that there "is seating for 125 people in the main courtroom, with overflow seating for 100 people in the overflow courtroom."
Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli maintains that his legal challenge is basic, that "in passing the individual mandate and penalty as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Congress exceeded the powers granted it by the Constitution."
While Cuccinelli succeeded in a federal district court, Liberty University did not, as a case brought by the school that was the headquarters for Jerry Falwell was rejected by a different judge.
Liberty charges the Congress went too far with a provision that forces businesses that employ more than fifty people to offer health insurance.
The Liberty case will be argued first, followed by the case involving the state of Virginia.
Both cases will get 40 minutes of argument time.
*** UPDATE *** - The three judges who are hearing this case were all put on the bench by Democratic Presidents, so many might argue the outcome before this three judge panel is already apparent.
The Fourth Circuit covers Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, along with both North and South Carolina.
