Obama Administration Urges Quick Ruling on Health Care

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Obama administration is asking a federal appeals court in Atlanta to act swiftly on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the government's health care overhaul.

In a seven-page filing, the Justice Department says expedited treatment of the case is warranted because of the far-reaching nature of the decision by a federal judge who declared the entire law unconstitutional.

The government is proposing that it file its first set of court papers on the issues in the case by April 18 and that those challenging the law file theirs by May 18. The government would file additional papers on June 1.

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled against the Obama administration's health care overhaul on grounds that Congress exceeded its authority by requiring nearly all Americans to carry health insurance.