Members of Washington State House Republican caucus send letter of support to Attorney General
A letter signed by the entire Washington State House Republican caucus was sent Friday to Attorney General Rob McKenna supporting his decision to join with the bipartisan, nationwide group of attorneys general to challenge the constitutionality of the national healthcare legislation recently signed into law.
The letter reiterated their support of McKenna’s assessment that the requirement for individuals to buy health insurance is an ‘unprecedented federal mandate’ that violates the commerce clause and the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The letter stated, “While we recognize you and the bipartisan group of joining attorneys general will be arguing on the constitutionality of the measure, we would be remiss if we failed to bring up the fact that the health care bill will place an enormous financial burden on our state’s operating budget by requiring Washington to expand its Medicaid eligibility standards. Perhaps most important, it will also hurt families who are already struggling to make ends meet. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the average family will see their health insurance premiums increase by as much as $2,100 per year. In addition, the bill spends more than $1.2 trillion in federal taxpayer dollars in the next nine years at a time when government spending is out of control.”
The past two sessions, House Republicans have introduced a comprehensive package of bills to help lower costs, provide access and choice to heath care and repair the state’s safety net.
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For interviews please contact: Rep. Richard DeBolt, (360) 786-7896 or Rep. Doug Ericksen, (360) 920-3276
For more information contact: Lisa Fenton, Communications Director, (360) 786-7728
