GOP AGs Will Sue to Overturn Health Reform

Florida and nine other states—all of which have Republican attorneys general—will sue to overturn health care reform, arguing that it’s unconstitutional. Florida AG Bill McCollum, who is running for governor, said today he views the expansion of Medicaid as a violation of states' rights, and called the penalty on those who don’t buy insurance “a tax on being alive.”

Alabama, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Washington are on board with the suit, which will be filed in federal court, reports the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The Republican AG of Virginia is planning a separate, similar suit, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports. Legal experts say the suits have little basis. Massachusetts’ similar health care plan has already survived legal challenges, as have other federal laws requiring people to spend money. (More health care reform stories.)