Washington Governor Opposes Ag on Health Reform Lawsuit

Gov. Chris Gregoire strongly opposed Attorney General Rob McKenna's participation in a multi-state lawsuit against President Obama's reform package, passed yesterday by Congress.
"I'm disappointed that the Attorney General would participate in a lawsuit to repeal a law that would help 1.5 million Washingtonians get access to affordable, quality health care," Gregoire, normally an ally of McKenna, said. "I completely disagree with the Attorney General's decision and he does not represent me.
"He doesn't represent the people of Washington who would get assistance so they could afford quality health insurance," she said. "He doesn't represent the thousands of small businesses that would benefit from tax credits to provide coverage for their employees. He doesn't represent the thousands who will no longer be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. He doesn't represent the half million young people in our state who would be covered under their parents plan until they are 26. He doesn't represent our state's Medicare recipients. He doesn't represent the taxpayers of Washington.
"This is landmark legislation that will cover over 32 million Americans who don't have health care," Gregoire said. "I have made it clear to the Attorney General that I will actively oppose this lawsuit if it moves forward."