GOP Govs Request Expedited Review of Healthcare Lawsuits

Republican governors sent a letter to President Obama today requesting him to direct the United States Department of Justice to support an expedited appellate process for the pending healthcare lawsuits to reach the United States Supreme Court as soon as possible.

The letter states, in part:

“This request for expedited review takes no position on PPACA, but seeks only to obtain the Supreme Court’s final determination as soon as possible.

Given the daunting and costly financial and regulatory burdens that our states and the private sector will face in implementing PPACA over the coming years,  particularly during this unprecedented budgetary time, public interest requires expediting a final resolution of the litigation to give certainty as soon as possible.  We should not endure years of litigation in the circuit courts, when the Supreme Court can promptly provide finality.  This resolution can help prevent the states and the private sector from undertaking potentially unnecessary measures and expenses.  More importantly, our businesses, health care providers, and citizens of our great nation need to know as soon as possible whether all or part of the law will be upheld or stricken, so they know their options and obligations.”

Dear Mr. President:

The undersigned governors hereby express our strong support for an expedited appeal of the Virginia and Florida health care lawsuits recently decided in favor of the states.  We respectfully ask that you direct the United States Department of Justice to support an expedited appellate process for each case to reach the United States Supreme Court as soon as possible in order to resolve the significant constitutional issues presented, which we all agree are of national importance.

Regardless of our respective positions on the merits of the policies in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), every state faces significant challenges and expenses implementing PPACA over the next several years.  Additionally, there is little doubt that the cases will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.  This request for expedited review takes no position on PPACA, but seeks only to obtain the Supreme Court’s final determination as soon as possible.

Given the daunting and costly financial and regulatory burdens that our states and the private sector will face in implementing PPACA over the coming years,  particularly during this unprecedented budgetary time, public interest requires expediting a final resolution of the litigation to give certainty as soon as possible.  We should not endure years of litigation in the circuit courts, when the Supreme Court can promptly provide finality.  This resolution can help prevent the states and the private sector from undertaking potentially unnecessary measures and expenses.  More importantly, our businesses, health care providers, and citizens of our great nation need to know as soon as possible whether all or part of the law will be upheld or stricken, so they know their options and obligations.

To that end, we respectfully ask that you promptly support an expedited appellate process for each of the pending cases to achieve quick resolution by the United States Supreme Court and to encourage the United States Department of Justice to join these efforts.

Thank you for your consideration and prompt attention to this important national matter.

Sincerely,

Governor Robert Bentley                                    Governor Sean Parnell

Alabama                                                                      Alaska

Governor Janice K. Brewer                                Governor Rick Scott

Arizona                                                                        Florida

Governor Nathan Deal                                         Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter

Georgia                                                                       Idaho

Governor Mitch Daniels                                      Governor Terry E. Branstad

Indiana                                                                       Iowa

Governor Sam Brownback                                  Governor Bobby Jindal

Kansas                                                                         Louisiana

Governor Paul R. LePage                                    Governor Rick Snyder

Maine                                                                          Michigan

Governor Haley Barbour                                    Governor David Heineman

Mississippi                                                                Nebraska

Governor Brian Sandoval                                   Governor Chris Christie

Nevada                                                                       New Jersey

Governor Susana Martinez                                Governor Jack Dalrymple

New Mexico                                                              North Dakota

Governor John R. Kasich                                   Governor Tom Corbett

Ohio                                                                             Pennsylvania

Governor Nikki Haley                                          Governor Dennis Daugaard

South Carolina                                                        South Dakota

Governor Bill Haslam                                          Governor Rick Perry

Tennessee                                                                 Texas

Governor Gary R. Herbert                                Governor Robert F. McDonnell

Utah                                                                            Virginia

Governor Scott Walker                                      Governor Matthew H. Mead

Wisconsin                                                                Wyoming

Governor Mary Fallin

Oklahoma