It appears that the individual mandate under the PPACA may be headed for rough sailing. Here is an excerpt from an opinion today in which the Obama administration’s motion to dismiss was denied.

The government has never required people to buy any good or service as a condition of lawful residence in the United States.” See Congressional Budget Office Memorandum, The Budgetary Treatment of an Individual Mandate to Buy Health Insurance, August 1994 (emphasis added). Of course, to say that something is “novel” and “unprecedented” does not necessarily mean that it is “unconstitutional” and “improper.” There may be a first time for anything. But, at this stage of the case, the plaintiffs have most definitely stated a plausible claim with respect to this cause of action.

You can pick up a link to the opinion and other pertinent information here.