There is more than one way to skin a cat.  Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed onto  Florida’s federal health care lawsuit yesterday.  They join 27 other states that are challenging the federal health care reform law in federal court.  This number also includes Virginia which filed its own lawsuit.

The Florida lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the individual mandate that would force Iowans to purchase health insurance or incur a fine.  The lawsuit also challenges the Medicaid expansion that is costly to states.  The health care reform law’s “one-size-fits-all” Medicaid approach would force states to cut other critical programs, according to the Branstad administration.

“I am signing on to this suit as the governor on behalf of the people of Iowa, because I believe Iowa taxpayers deserve to be heard on this critical matter,” said Branstad. “As we begin constructing our five year budget, there is no doubt that the current federal health care law will shackle Iowa taxpayers for billions in unfunded mandates.”

Branstad is picking up the ball that Iowa’s Attorney General, Tom Miller, should have carried.  Miller complained yesterday that litigation should go through his office.  Miller had filed a friend of the court brief on behalf of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  Miller did concede that Branstad did have the right to pursue this, “However, in this unusual set of circumstances, given what is at stake for the public, Governor Branstad should have the ability to express his viewpoint as Governor.”

The motion to file and the second amended complaint is embedded below:

Motion to File Second Amended Complaint

Second Amended Complaint

You May Also Like

Partisan Politics at Play in Iowa Gubernatorial Transition Debate

Shane Vander Hart: Partisan politics is the only thing that can explain Attorney General Tom Miller change of mind about Kim Reynolds’ ability to appoint a new Lt. Governor.

Gas Tax: There Are Solutions, and Then There are SOLUTIONS

Opponents of raising the gas tax have failed to provide any solutions for how Iowa should maintain its roads and bridges with a projected shortfall.

Rick Santorum Stumps for Ben Lange in Iowa 1st Congressional District Race

Former Senator and Presidential Candidate, Rick Santorum, stumped for Ben Lange the…

The Definition of Marriage: Who Should Decide?

Who ought to decide whether two men or two women can marry…