Contact: Pacific Justice Institute, 916-857-6900

PASADENA, Calif., June 7, 2011 /Standard Newswire/ -- The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has announced that it will hear a constitutional challenge to the controversial "individual mandate" in President Obama's health care overhaul. The written briefing has already been submitted, and oral arguments will be held at 9:00 a.m. on July 13 at the federal courthouse in Pasadena.

The lawsuit was filed by Pacific Justice Institute and former Assemblyman Steve Baldwin. The two parties are being represented by attorney Pete Lepiscopo of the San Diego firm Lepiscopo & Morro, LLP.

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, "We are looking forward to this opportunity to expose the unconstitutionality of the individual mandate in the federal court of appeal. No American should be forced to buy health insurance just because the federal government thinks it is a good idea. If the courts do not rein in this unprecedented government power grab, none of our liberties are safe. We greatly appreciate all of our supporters who are stepping up to the plate to make this important litigation possible."

This is the first of the health care lawsuits to be heard by the Ninth Circuit, which has jurisdiction over all federal courts on the West Coast. Legal analysts will be closely watching the case to see if its outcome or analysis differ from courts of appeal on the East Coast and in the Midwest that are expected to also issue decisions in similar cases. The U.S. Supreme Court has turned down a request from the Attorney General of Virginia to decide the fate of the sweeping law early, but the High Court is expected to step in if and when the federal courts of appeal issue conflicting decisions.

About The Pacific Justice Institute:  Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) legal defense organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties. Pacific Justice Institute works diligently, without charge, to provide their clients with all the legal support they need.  Pacific Justice Institute's strategy is to coordinate and oversee large numbers of concurrent court actions through a network of over 1,000 affiliate attorneys nationwide. And, according to former US Attorney General Edwin Meese, "The Institute fills a critical need for those whose civil liberties are threatened." "Through our dedicated attorneys and supporters, we defend the rights of countless individuals, families and churches... without charge."