Obama health law to face religion-based challenge

(REUTERS) - The United States (US) Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for a Christian college to pursue a religion-based challenge against part of President Barack Obama's healthcare reform, which it claims forces taxpayers and employers to subsidise abortions and contraception.

Liberty University, based in Lynchburg, Virginia, may now also argue that Congress exceeded its power by requiring big employers to provide healthcare coverage to workers, though legal experts said the argument faces an uphill battle in court.

In June, the Supreme Court by a 5-4 vote upheld most of the healthcare reform, but left open a possibility for groups or individuals to challenge how the law is applied.

Monday's order allows for oral argument to proceed in the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.