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Show Wednesday, March 24, 2010 <r 1 HE SIGNPOST ii Suing over health card 13 attorneys general sue over health care overhaul By Brendan Farrington writer I Associated Press ONE MIND TICKETS MILL BE SDL0 AT THE INFORMATION DESK STARTING NDk AND UP UNTIL THE NIGHT •F THE EVENT! FEATURING AEQUITAS CLOTHING. ATRIUN, SHEPHERD UNION BUILDING iiB»l TICKETS; $5 HITH I D BEFORE CONCERT $8 WITHOUT I D AT THE DOOR ATRIUM, SHEPHERD UNION BUILDING 1 No Re-Entry | No Large Bags |No Backpacks or Book fogs Pfought to you by the Apply now... "No public policy - no matter how important or wellintentioned - can be allowed to trample the protections and rights guaranteed by our Constitution." TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Attorneys general from 13 states sued the federal government Tuesday, claiming the landmark health care overhaul is unconstitutional just seven minutes after President Barack Obama signed it - Greg Abbott, into law. The lawsuit was filed in Texas Attorney General Pensacola after the Democratic president signed the legal advocacy group, sued only hope of protecting 10-year, $938 billion bill on behalf of itself and four the American people from, the House passed Sunday people it says don't have this unprecedented attack night. private health insurance on our system of govern"The Constitution no- and object to being told ment," he said. where authorizes the they have to purchase it. But Lawrence Friedman, United States to man- McCoIlum, who is run- a professor who teaches date, either directly or ning for governor, argues constitutional law at the under threat of penalty, the bill will cause "sub- New England School of that all citizens and legal stantial harm and finan- Law in Boston, said before residents have qualifying cial burden" to the states. the suit was filed that it has health care coverage," the State Sen. Dan Gelber, a little chance of success. He lawsuit says. Democrat running for Me- said he can't imagine a sceLegal experts say it has Collum's job, said the law- nario where a judge would little chance of success. suit is nothing more than stop implementation of Florida Attorney Gen- a stunt to gain political the health care bill. eral Bill McCoIlum is tak- points as McCoIlum runs Still, McCoIlum said he ing the lead and is joined for governor. expects the U.S. Supreme by attorneys general from "It is rank politics and Court will eventually deSouth Carolina, Nebraska, nothing but," said Gelber, cide if the overhaul is conTexas, Michigan, Utah, noting that 4 million Flo- stitutional. Pennsylvania, Alabama, ridians don't have health "This is not lawful," he South Dakota, Idaho, insurance. "He spends no said. "It may have passed Washington, Colorado and time talking about what Congress, but there are Louisiana. All are Republi- he would do as governor three branches of governcans except James "Buddy" about that, but he seems ment." Caldwell of Louisiana, a to have an inordinate Some states are lookDemocrat. amount of time to jump ing at other ways to avojdL Some states are con- up on a soap box and start participating. Virginia and } sidering separate lawsuits demagoguing on the is- Idaho have passed legisla-; - Virginia filed its own sue." tion aimed at blocking-m-^ Tuesday - and still othThe lawsuit claims quirements in the bill, and: ers may join the multi- the bill violates the 10th the Republican-led L'eg-J state suit. In Michigan, the Amendment, which says islature in Florida is t r y Thomas More Law Center the federal government ing to put a constitution"^ of-Ann':Arbor, a Christian has n'6 authority beyond amendment on the ballot* > the powers granted to it to ask voters to exempt thej underthe Constitution, By ^state from the federaTT§#5^ forcing the states to carry requirements. At least '60| out its provisions but not percent of voters woulffij *"•'-. reimbursing them for the have to approve. costs. Under the bill, starting ' in six months, health in"No public policy goal - no matter how impor- surance companies would | tant or well-intentioned -• be required to keep young can be allowed to trample adults as beneficiaries on • the protections and rights their parents' plans until: guaranteed by our Con- they turn 26, and compa- | stitution," Texas Attorney nies would no longer be al- \ General Greg Abbott said lowed to deny coverage to". sick children. in a statement. The lawsuit also says Other changes v the states can't afford the not kick in until 2014. new law. Using Florida as That's when an example, the lawsuit Americans will for the says the overhaul will add time be required to carrjrj almost 1.3 million people health insurance - eith^cj to the state's Medicaid through an employer" 0*$ rolls and cost the state an government program ' or' additional $150 million in by buying it themselves^ 2014, growing to $1 billion Those who refuse will face5 a year by 2019. tax penalties. ; "This is the first time inj "We simply cannot afford to do the things in this American history wherePj bill that we're mandated American citizens will be | to do," McCoIlum said at forced to buy a particular! a press conference after good or service," said Ne-^ filing the suit. He said the braska Attorney GeneCat1 Medicaid expansion in Jon Bruning, who is also J Florida will cost $1.6 bil- president of the Natioixal;j Association of Attorneys.^) lion. "That's not possible General, explaining or practical to do in our his state joined the state," he said. "It's not re- suit. Tax credits to help pay alistic, it's not right, and for premiums also will • it's very, very wrong." South Carolina Attor- start flowing to middle- • ney General Henry Mc- class working families with \ Master, who is also run- incomes up to $88,00(5;a; ning for governor, said the year, and Medicaid will;Be^ lawsuit was necessary to expanded to cover moire ! -: \ protect his state's sover- low-income people. eignty. No Republicans in trie i "A legal challenge by the U.S. House or Senate voteCh ->;; states appears to be the for the bill. More than 80 positions available Appointed positions application packet Available in SU 326 OPEN UNTIL FILLED TURN IN YOUR APPLICATION TODAY Review of applications begins March 24th SETTING T H E for dftiVLPUS NEWS |