Susan B. Anthony List Appeals Defamation and Free Speech Rulings Relating to Its Accusations About Healthcare Reform

The Hill’s Healthcare Blog: SBA List appeals ruling on healthcare law and abortion, by Sam Baker:

The Susan B. Anthony List on Thursday filed an appeal in its lawsuit over claims that the healthcare reform law provides government funding for abortion.

Former Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) sued SBA List for defamation after the group tried to buy billboards that accused him of supporting government-funded abortion through healthcare reform. SBA List sought to have the suit dismissed and also said Ohio's election laws are an unconstitutional limit on free speech.

Earlier this month, a federal judge dismissed SBA List's constitutional challenge and allowed Driehaus's suit to proceed. In the process, the judge said the reform law plainly does not provide government funding for abortion. . . .