In Georgia, Democratic Attorney General Thurbert Baker has rejected Republican Governor Sonny Perdue’s request to go to court to block the federal legislation from taking effect.

 

Perdue believes Congress exceeded its authority in adopting the new healthcare law. But Baker contends there’s no legal ground on which to challenge the federal government, and deemed the lawsuit “a waste of taxpayer money.”

 

Complicating the situation is the fact that Baker, described as “a cautious Democrat not known for being aggressively partisan,” is running for governor. The race, however, won’t include Perdue, who is not seeking re-election.

 

The situation is similar in Nevada, minus the gubernatorial election factor. There, Democratic Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto has rejected Republican Governor Jim Gibbons’ wishes to join other states challenging the constitutionality of the reform bill. Masto wrote in a letter to the governor that Congress’ authority “is extensive and appears strong enough to support the act.”

 

Upset over Masto’s decision, Gibbons said a second-year law student could fill the role of getting Nevada to join the multi-state lawsuit. The governor plans to seek other counsel for assistance.

 

Gibbons contends the federal law will cost his state an extra $613 million in Medicaid expenses to insure the 78,000 people required to get coverage.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Health Care Fallout Raises Baker, Perdue Profiles (by James Salzer and Cameron McWhirter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Georgia Attorney General Spurns Suit on Health Care (by Robbie Brown, New York Times)

AG Won’t File Health Reform Suit; Gibbons Vows to Stop ‘Intrusion’ (by Cy Ryan, Las Vegas Sun)

Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto Letter (pdf)