More States to Join Florida Health Care Lawsuit

With an influx of new state officers this month, four states may soon be joining the multi-state lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of ObamaCare.

by Amanda Griffin-Johnson

With new state officers being sworn in around the country this month, some states may soon be joining the Florida lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of mandates in ObamaCare. Currently South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Louisiana, Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, Idaho, South Dakota, Indiana, Mississippi, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia, Alaska, and North Dakota have joined Florida in this lawsuit, which alleges the individual mandate is unconstitutional and that ObamaCare infringes on the sovereignty of the states. The new states voicing their intention to join the lawsuit include Maine, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Wyoming.

In Maine, new Attorney General William Schneider is “determined” to join the lawsuit against federal legislation he and Republican Gov. Paul LePage agree is “constitutionally flawed.” Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen believes “the federal government has overstepped its authority,” and he has received “official authorization” from the newly inaugurated governor to join the multi-state lawsuit. The new Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine, who views ObamaCare as a “huge federal overreach,” has already sent a letter to the Florida attorney general asking to be added to the list of plaintiffs. On Monday, the new governor of Wyoming also requested permission to join the Florida lawsuit saying that “Wyoming’s voice needs to be heard.”

The judge is expected to rule on the Florida case soon. Of the three lawsuits challenging ObamaCare that have received decisions, two judges upheld the federal legislation and one declared it unconstitutional.