Governors line up against the health overhaul

Nov 15 2010

Opposition is increasing among sitting and newly elected governors to the health overhaul law.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: In Wisconsin, Republican "Governor-elect Scott Walker asked [Democratic] Gov. Jim Doyle Thursday to freeze his administration's push on high-profile issues ranging from the implementation of the federal health care law to a costly upgrade of a state power plant until Walker takes office on Jan. 3." The health law freeze would included stopping work on establishing a health insurance exchange. Doyle's administration has not committed to Walker's request (Stein and Bergquist, 11/11).

The Associated Press: Meanwhile, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, stepped up his attack on the law in a move widely perceived as a stage dressing for his potential 2012 presidential run. Pawlenty and Gov. Donald Carcieri, Republican of Rhode Island, filed court papers opposing the health overhaul on Thursday arguing "the governors are safeguarding their citizens from 'federal abuse of the spending power.' They argue the law places liabilities on states through a Medicaid expansion." The amicus brief was filed in a Florida court where 20 other states are suing to block the overhaul. The governor had already issued an executive order banning state agencies from seeking health overhaul related funds without specific permission (11/11).

Politico: At least one Democrat is speaking out against the overhaul, too. Gov. Phil Bredesen, of Tennessee. "In a perfect world, I would love it if a president would say, 'look I got off on the wrong foot here, we're doing some things, let's put something together, we all have the desire to cover more uninsured people and … I'm willing to say mea culpa and maybe we can get all these things right'" (Haberkorn, 11/11).