States requesting delay requested in ‘Obamacare’ arguments

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Eighteen Republican-leaning states want a federal appeals court in New Orleans to delay next week's hearing on President Barack Obama's health care law.

Arguments are set for Tuesday at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. States opposed to the law want the court to uphold a federal judge's December ruling that the law is unconstitutional.

Twenty Democratic-led states and the U.S. House of Representatives want the 5th Circuit to overturn that ruling, which is on hold pending appeals.

The Republican opponents say they need more time to prepare briefs on questions the appeals court asked last week — including questions about who has legal standing to appeal.

The states supporting "Obamacare" say a delay would feed uncertainty among health care providers and the public.