Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
California Leads Coalition Of States To Intervene In Texas Suit That Challenges Health Law
The Associated Press: Democratic Attorneys General Fight Texas Health Care Lawsuit
Sixteen Democratic attorneys general pushed back Monday against a Texas lawsuit aimed at striking down former President Barack Obama's health care overhaul. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra led 14 other states and the District of Columbia in filing a motion to intervene in the Texas case and defend the law, suggesting the Trump administration wouldn't take such action. (Ronanye, 4/9)
Los Angeles Times: California Seeks To Intervene To Defend Obamacare In Court
“It is an irresponsible action,” Becerra said of the Texas lawsuit. “It is a legally unsound action, and it is a dangerous action for millions of Americans who left the bad days of pre-existing conditions and the inability to get care for their children. ”The lawsuit by Texas challenges Obamacare as unconstitutional, arguing that because Congress has set the penalty for going without insurance at zero, it does not count as a tax. A 2012 Supreme Court decision had upheld the law as a tax. The motion to intervene by California, New York and other states argues that Texas’ lawsuit is legally insufficient and would cause chaos in the healthcare market. (McGreevy, 4/10)
