The responses are coming from all over the state today as Florida Republicans are rejoicing in the wake of the decision by a federal district judge in Virginia that the individual mandate provision in the federal health care law signed by President Obama earlier this year is unconstitutional. Today's ruling is the first any part of the health care reform law has been struck down, of the 15 cases that have come before various courts.
Florida Attorney General-elect Pam Bondi: "While it is only the first step in a long process, today's decision is a
needed reminder that the Constitution places enforceable limits on the federal government's power. As the Virginia and Florida cases move forward, I will continue to stand up for Floridians against a law that is both unconstitutional and unaffordable."
The Florida case that has been pushed by current AG Bill McCollum is pending in a Federal District Court in Pensacola, and a summary judgment is scheduled for this Thursday morning.
Long before Rick Scott decided to run for governor, he's been a strong advocate against any type of federal takeover of health care, campaigning against the Clinton's in the 90's, and last year with his group, Conservatives for Patience Rights. He called the decision today "great for Floridians and for Americans everywhere," adding "ObamaCare is the biggest job killer in the history of this country and this decision will go a long way toward restoring the certainty businesses need to start hiring and restoring some sanity to the federal government."
Florida's GOP U.S. Senator George LeMieux said, I commend the decision and hope for a similar ruling in the state of Floridas legal challenge, LeMieux said. While an ultimate decision will likely be left to the Supreme Court, todays ruling is an important step in defending a fundamental principle of our constitutional systema limited federal government.
A similar law suit has been filed by McCollum and 19 other Attorneys General that will be heard Thursday in Pensacola, in one of the most conservative parts of the state. (the judge there, Roger Vinson, is like the judge in Virginia, Henry E. Hudson, a George W. Bush appointee). Obama officials have said that the provision to insure that health care organizations can no longer screen for pre-existing conditions will not survive if the individual mandate is thrown out (a mandate that many liberals have also taken issue with). (And we've just learned that Judge Hudson also contributed tens of thousands of dollars to a GOP backed group who opposed the health care law).