Murkowski Comments on Alaska Joining Health Care Law Suit Against Federal Government
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following comment after Gov. Parnell announced that Alaska is joining 19 other states in a lawsuit against the federal government over the new health care. The 19 states are challenging the legal requirement for everyone to purchase health insurance and the Medicaid mandate on states.
"I am looking for ways to repeal the most egregious parts of the law - the tax hikes, Medicare cuts and increased premiums - and replace them with proposals that will reign in the spiraling costs of health care, such as junk lawsuit reforms and allowing insurers to sell across state lines. But because President Obama is likely to veto any Congressional efforts to repeal the health care plan, I am highly encouraged that Alaska has chosen to join 19 other states to challenge the constitutionality of this law. I am opposed to the onerous individual mandate that will require Alaskans to purchase health insurance or otherwise face a stiff penalty -- ultimately 2.5 percent of one's taxable income. During the health care debate, I supported a measure that would have allowed states to ‘opt out' of the health care plan. Unfortunately, the majority in the Senate chose not to give states that option."
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