Alaska governor refusing to enact health care law

[Kludge]

"JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) -- Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell said Thursday that he will not implement the federal health care overhaul passed by Congress last year after a judge in Florida struck down the law as unconstitutional.

It's not immediately clear what practical impact the unusual, rather bold move would have on Alaskans, an estimated 14 percent of whom are uninsured year-round.

A major expansion of the federal law is still pending, and a legal expert and health care consumer advocate say any refusal by the states to participate in the law is an invitation to the federal government to step in and implement it for them - a point Parnell disputes.

The Republican governor, who sought the advice of his attorney general amid concerns implementing the law would violate his oath of office, told the Juneau Chamber of Commerce the state would pursue lawful, market-based solutions to making insurance affordable and accessible to Alaskans.

He said the Florida judge's ruling is the law of the land, as it pertains to Alaska, barring implementation of the federal law here. He said the state will not pursue "unlawful activity" to implement a regime deemed unconstitutional.

..."

Full story @ http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ALASKA_GOVERNOR_HEALTH_CARE?SITE=RIPAW&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Koz]

Is this tantamount to nullification?

[Kludge]

Obama admin. asks judge to clarify health ruling

"ENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- The Justice Department asked a federal judge in Florida on Thursday to tell states that they must continue to enact the Obama administration's health care overhaul despite the judge's ruling that the law is unconstitutional.

In a motion to clarify, administration attorneys asked U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to make clear that states cannot ignore the new health care laws while his ruling is being appealed.

At stake, according to the government's motion, are provisions of the new law that would create chaos if ignored by the states.

Those provisions include 2011 changes in Medicare payment rates. Delaying those changes "could cause major delays and errors in the payment of the roughly 100 million Medicare claims processed each month," the motion states.

Florida and 25 other states filed the lawsuit that said Congress exceeded its authority by requiring all citizens to purchase health insurance or face tax penalties.

Vinson agreed, ruling on Jan. 31 that President Barack Obama's entire health care overhaul law is unconstitutional. The broad challenge seems certain to be resolved only by the Supreme Court.

He declared the law "a plain case of judicial overreaching." Some states, citing Vinson's ruling, have refused to cooperate with the health care law.

For example, earlier Thursday in Alaska, Gov. Sean Parnell said he would not implement the new law because Vinson ruled it was unconstitutional.

..."

Full story @ http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_OVERHAUL?SITE=ALANN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

This is great!!!

[Cowlesy]

Good for them.