ABC REACTS TO RULING ON HEALTH CARE ACT (12/13/2010)
ABC Vice President of Federal Affairs Geoff Burr December 13 issued the following statement after a federal judge in Virginia ruled that a section of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which requires individuals to buy health insurance or pay a penalty, was unconstitutional.
“Today’s ruling underscores the fact that Congress and the administration stepped over the line in the push to regulate interstate commerce by forcing people to make a choice or face the consequences,” said Burr.
“ABC has fought against this provision and others in the law, that pose an economic hardship on individuals and businesses,” Burr said. “We will not be content until the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has been fully repealed and replaced with measures that will allow all Americans to purchase health insurance coverage in a free-market environment.”
The lawsuit was filed by Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in defense of a new state law that prohibits the government from forcing state residents to buy health insurance. A district court in Florida is scheduled this week to hear arguments on a 21-state lawsuit that also challenges the law’s individual mandate.
