Gregoire seeks to counter suit challenging health-care

The Seattle Times ^ | June 23, 2010 | Jim Brunner

[epithermal]

Gov. Chris Gregoire is joining three fellow Democratic governors in asking a federal judge to consider their opposition to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the nation's new health-care law.

The lawsuit filed in March by 13 state attorneys-general challenges the new law's requirements that everyone purchase health insurance and that states expand Medicaid coverage for the poor.

The decision of Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna to join the lawsuit infuriated Gregoire and other Democratic leaders, who argued Republican McKenna's position doesn't represent the state's interests.

Democratic governors Bill Ritter of Colorado, Jennifer Granholm of Michigan and Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania found themselves in similar arguments with Republican attorneys-general in their states.

On Wednesday, they teamed up with Gregoire to seek permission to file a friend-of-the-court, or amicus, brief in a Florida federal court. They want to file the brief in support of the Obama administration's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

But it's not clear whether the governors will get their wish.

[epithermal]

Gov. Gargoyle strikes again. I wonder if these governors have considered the "wishes" of their constituents?

[Psycho_Bunny]

I’ve met her several times....so this comment is beyond a media-impression of her character: she’s an incompetent, bug-eyed moron who’s incapable of separating her emotions from any ration thought.

[Grunthor]

“incapable of separating her emotions from any ration thought.”

So....she’s a liberal?

[darkangel82]

You’d expect no less from Madame Fraudoire.

[benjibrowder]

You really have to ask?

[Mac n Jac]

Since she was WA State Insurance Commissioner for so many years there shouldn't be an issue with “discriminatory insurance practices.” If she wasn't able to get a handle on that while it was her sole job then I doubt (know) she can't handle it now.

[Grunthor]

naw, I know her well, she’s a lib on steroids. I just thought that PB nailed liberal “thought” almost poetically.

[SteamShovel]

asking a federal judge to consider their opposition to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the nation's new health-care law

So they don't challenge the legal basis of the lawsuit.....

.....They want the courts to ignore the lawsuit?

If this is OK, then we should file a suit to ignore the suit that wants to ignore the Constitutional challenge...

[Missouri gal]

She was “elected” on “found” ballot boxes, or was it a shady recount? A classic Democrap.

[Sicvee]

She was Attorney General herself. She was never the Insurance Commissioner. Not that it makes any difference in judging her actions.

[Mac n Jac]

Yeh she was Ins Comm. I worked in the ins industry in WA while she had the position late ‘90’s until at least 2003 - when I left.

[Sicvee]

You are thinking of some other liberal woman. This is the resume of Chris Gregoire: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008037676_govgregoire.html

[Sicvee]

Deborah Senn was her name.

[Mac n Jac]

My mistake. I do have MS so my mental lapses will have to be excused (at least I excuse them).