Federal court rules those who are insured are not affected by new law

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A federal judge says Gov. Phil Bryant and other Mississippi residents were premature in their challenge to the federal law requiring people to buy health care insurance.

The Hattiesburg American reports that District Judge Keith Starrett also reaffirmed his ruling that knocked the governor and another man out as plaintiffs. He says both have health insurance, and wouldn't be affected by the law unless they dropped that insurance.

In an order signed Aug. 23, he says two remaining plaintiffs' privacy claims would have to be brought later, because rules involving disclosure and protection of personal information are still being worked out.

Mississippi Sen. Chris McDaniel is an attorney for the plaintiffs. He says they either will appeal Starrett's ruling or refile the suit later.