The Christians said they believe God will heal them from disease and the requirement to purchase health insurance in the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act forces them to demonstrate a lack of faith.
Judge Gladys Kessler of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said it was unclear how the new health care law infringed on the plaintiffs’ behavior or beliefs since it allows them to pay “a shared responsibility payment” instead of buying insurance.
The law allows Americans to a pay a fine if they choose not to buy insurance, an option all of the plaintiffs have said they will take.
The suit, filed by five plaintiffs from three states, is one of several that have challenged various portions of the new health care law.
