Score One for Cuccinelli’s Health Care Lawsuit

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has scored a legal victory in his challenge to President Obama’s health care reform law.

Today, in response to Cuccinelli’s lawsuit, a federal judge ruled that a key provision in the health care law which requires individuals to obtain health insurance is unconstitutional. Obama administration lawyers are planning to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

In a short Twitter message, Cuccinelli refrained from taking a long victory lap.

“[The health care] ruling is in. Virginia won this round,” he said succinctly.

The ruling will have little immediate effect in terms the law’s implementation. The White House says it expects the challenge to be resolved before most of the health care law’s key changes are implemented in 2014.

Update at 1:50 p.m. — Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is scheduled to appear on Fox News between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m. to discuss the ruling. Read McDonnell’s statement on the court’s decision here.

Update at 2:05 p.m. — White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs responds to the ruling: “We are confident that the affordable care act will be upheld.”