Va. set to challenge federal health-care reform legislation

[cal04]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/17/AR2010031703593.html?hpid=topnews

Virginia will file a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the Democratic health-care reform bill if Congress approves the measure, a spokesman for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II said Wednesday.

Cuccinelli (R), a social and fiscal conservative who has expressed deep skepticism about the growth of the federal government, has said since his fall election campaign that he was studying the legal issues involved in such a suit. His spokesman said Wednesday that Cuccinelli has decided he will challenge the measure.

The announcement came two days before President Obama is scheduled to visit Fairfax County to hold a final rally in support of the health-care bill before the congressional vote. Last week, Virginia became the first state to pass a bill declaring it illegal for the government to require individuals to purchase health insurance, a key component of the bills under consideration on Capitol Hill.

Cuccinelli's spokesman Brian Gottstein would provide no details on the legal rationale for such a suit and indicated the office is studying the issue.

[vadawg]

1. i guess its going to be up to the states to protect their citizens from what they see as a step too

far, still wonder how it can be constitutional to force people to buy insurance if they dont want it...

[LynneSin]

2. you make it sound like everyone will be forced

and skipped over the part where there is help for those who can't afford insurance and/or the fines.

[vadawg]

3. is it still going to be mandatory, what about people who can afford it or fines

shouldnt they get conetitutional protections as well, it dosent matter if there is help for some if its not constitutional..

[LynneSin]

4. think about it - if they can afford it then why should they be burdening our tax dollars

That's like driving a car without insurance - they go to the hospital someone is going to pay the bill just like I'm stuck paying $30 every month for uninsured drivers. Is it fair that our hospitals/governments are stuck paying the bill for someone who can afford insurance but just doesn't want to buy it?

I understand the concern for those who can't afford it and there are protections written so they aren't overwhelmed with fines or costs. But if they can then they should get it.

[vadawg]

5. so your only concern is for people who cant afford it, mine is for all people

whehter they can afford it or not, why should the government be able to tell you that you have to buy xomething from a private company, are we going to have to buy our cars only from GM next, im sure when the next mandate comes down that makes you purchase something that you dont want to that you will support it %100...

[CreekDog]

7. if you don't want to pay for private insurance you can pay the fine

that won't go to a private company.

and if you think this is the same as making you buy a GM, maybe you can use your activism to prevent people from marrying horses because by your logic that's around the corner too.

proportion people! :wtf:

[vadawg]

8. so the government can fine you if you dont buy something from a private company

not sure how that makes it any better, whether you want it or not how do you think people are going to feel if they are forced wither by fines or mandate to pay out money for something they may not want to a private company (or pay a fine to the government) not sure why people think this is a good idea..

[CreekDog]

9. the government can ticket you for not having auto insurance

not sure why this is a good idea either. :rofl:

[vadawg]

10. well you do have a choice whether or not to drive, the issue here is you wont have a choice

you know that thing that you probuably dont want the government to control... :)

[CreekDog]

11. not as compelling as making sure everyone has health coverage

and helps pay for that.

among the great freedoms mentioned in the Bill of Rights, the right to be free of insurance --that ain't in there.

oh, if you want to be Amish, then you can be uninsured, but aside from that...yours is not a principle as valuable as healthcare for all and civil rights, etc.

[vadawg]

12. well its going to get interesting, i wonder whats going to happen when the courts get involved

and when people start having to pay fines or have to buy it, its going to get real interesting..

[CreekDog]

13. what if you could buy into Medicare as an alternative to private insurance

:shrug:

[trayfoot]

14. We already do in Virginia!

Virginians have to get vehicle insurance OR pay a fee to the state for uninsured motorists. If this is legal - and it has been done for a very long time - then the HCR should be legal, also. IMHO, this argument has no merit.

[vadawg]

15. no because you have a choice in the vehicle one, whether to drive or not.

im not sure why you cant see the difference between the two payments of insurance..

[trayfoot]

16. That truly is a specious argument!

In the vast majority of Virginia, there is NO public transportation. So, it is NOT a true choice - unless you argue that people can choose NOT to work and choose to be homeless and starve!

[vadawg]

17. and that is irelevant when you are talking about whether you mandate this.

you still have a choice whether to live in NOVA where there is public transport or in the shenandoah, you wont have a choice with the insurance mandate. Its all about the government forcing you to give money to a private enterprise whether you want to or not, i guess you will be okay if a republican admin forced you to give money to some other concern...

[trayfoot]

19. You and I will have to agree to disagree on this one!

Your fantasy of "choices" is just that - a fantasy! Virginia made a huge mistake in voting in this ultra right wing administration! And, they will live to regret it - some already are!

[vadawg]

20. you could say the same about the national adminastration as well

you never really get what you vote for anyway, and one thing about virginia is there is a large movement for the states rights, and many see this as the feds imposing something on the state, it will be interesting to say the least when the courts get involved..

[trayfoot]

21. I think that the "teabaggers", "states righters", etc...........

tend to forget that there is a truly moderate to left population in Virginia. President Obama awoke that sleeping giant in '08, and the nutcases may awaken it again! Be careful what you ask for!

[CreekDog]

22. i'm still wondering if you would accept buying into Medicare as an alternative

:shrug:

[vadawg]

23. sorry i missed your question the first time, honestly i think we should be given options

to include keeping the private insurance you have (my preference) to buying into a public option of some sort (medicare mayby) or if you want going without, i dont like the idea that the government is going to force people to buy something they might not want...

[CreekDog]

24. i agree with you except for going without

If that means not paying into a system that everyone will use.

I can appreciate not wanting to be forced to buy private insurance but one should be forced to financially participate to pay for a system that is built for everybody -a system that has trouble working unless everyone is participating and covered by.

[Blue_Tires]

6. what a piece of shit jagg-off

someone needs to remind him what his true responsibility as AG is...it isn't to be a congressional obstructionist by proxy

[salguine]

18. GO VIRGINIA!