Massachusetts wins legal challenge to individual mandate

In the first legal challenge to Massachusetts' individual health insurance mandate, a Massachusetts Superior Court judge dismissed a suit by a Salem man who refused to tell the state whether he had health insurance in 2007. George Fountas was fined $219 for not revealing whether he had insurance, which is required on state income tax. In the lawsuit, he charged that the state's health insurance mandate law is an illegal taking of property, is cruel and unusual punishment, and requires self-incrimination. Fountas said he will appeal the decision in hopes that the state will dismiss the individual mandate and penalties.