 But legal challenges to the nationwide ban are making their way through the courts. And this week, a ruling from a federal judge in Texas could put the ban on hold. NPR's Andrea Hsu talked to two people with differing hopes about how this legal fight will end. Let's first go to James Applegate. He's a family physician with the Boyne Area Free Clinic in rural northern Michigan, where anyone can get health care for free. He rejoiced when the Federal Trade Commission narrowly approved the non-compete ban back in April.