States say “NO!” – sue Uncle Sam over healthcare reform bill

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Several states are suing the federal government over the healthcare reform law.

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New battles are erupting over the healthcare reform bill passed last week, this time within the states, where leaders from both parties are clashing on whether to sue the federal government. Only hours after President Barack Obama signed the healthcare plan into law week, more than a dozen Republican state attorneys general - and one Democrat -- filed lawsuits saying it violates state and individual rights. And one’s being threatened with recall because he won’t take the feds to court. Many experts say this is just a political ploy and it will do nothing but wrack up litigation fees. Others say the states have a credible case, but even if they lose, the controversy signals a larger schism over core political values. We’re sizing up the suits, and their effects, as the lawyers start filing their briefs.

Guests:

Lawrence Friedman, professor of law at the New England School of Law

Samuel Staley, Director of urban growth at Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank here in Los Angeles that has advised Gov. Schwarzenegger and the previous four presidential administrations. They also publish Reason magazine


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Comments

Adreana Langston

5 months, 1 week ago

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Dear Nick, please ask your panelist or guest this question. "How many of the fourteen states who are considering sueing the Federal Government over the implementation of the healthcare mandate were also states who considered sueing the Federal Government or did sue the Federal Government over the implementation of the Voting Rights Act and/or other Civil Rights era legislation passed at the Federal level?"

Lou

5 months, 1 week ago

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While I like the idea of health care reform, the idea that the Federal Gov't is telling me to buy a private product is disturbing.

I'd much rather the gov't provide health care from tax revenue than tell me to go out and but it myself. I actually think that single payer advocates should feel the same way as these Republicans. The gov't shouldn't tell you to BUY something, if they want a person to have something, they should provide it.

I don't know the difference between the Health Care Mandate and the gov't telling everyone to buy a GM or Chrysler to prop up the economy. Wouldn't that fall under the Commerce Clause?

Norm

5 months, 1 week ago

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The Supreme Court is about to incorporate the second ammendment, thus telling the states what they can't do in relation to gun control. The Court early decided to interpret state election law in Bush v. Gore. The fire around this issue is hardly about the new federalism.

steve-Bell

5 months, 1 week ago

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The goal of this effort if totally a GOP ploy; the appeal motions were filed by 13 GOP Attorney Generals.

The GOP would love nothing more, than to NOT have to take "REPEAL THE HEALTH CARE BILL" to the voters this November. Voters don’t like having an entitlement taken away after they have it! But if the courts reject, then the GOP is off the hook and the Dems look like bad legislators.

BUT NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!! Geez, could you tell Mr. Doomsday- to put a cork in it! The GOP does enough of that propaganda already (ARMAGEEDON!!, government takeover, losing our freedom); GIVE IT A BREAK!!

Check out this incredibly similar response in 1967, by G. Ford, to LBJ and the Medicare bill:

http://vodpod.com/watch/3323879-video-remembering-partisanship-when-medicare-passed

Matt

5 months ago

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Um there was good reason for the reaction to medicare. Did you know that medicare and medicade are bankrupt? Just another worthless goverment run program that is dragging down the economy and its citizens. The healthcare bill will be severely worse. Not to mention the fact that they (the President and the rest of the democratic party) have went #2 on the constitution and completely ignored and in some cases changed laws just to get this bill passed.

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