A federal judge on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction against Missouri's law requiring of a state license to serve as a navigator to help consumers sign up for coverage through the new health insurance marketplace.
An attorney for the St. Louis-based plaintiffs calls the ruling by U.S. District Judge Ortrie D. Smith a "huge victory." Messages seeking comment from state officials were not immediately returned.
A new state law requires insurance counselors to receive at least 30 hours of training and pay a small fee in order to help online shoppers negotiate the federal insurance exchange. Missouri's Republican-led Legislature opted against setting up a state-run exchange.
The lawsuit filed in November said the requirements conflict with the federal Affordable Care Act.