Graham plans health law opt-out legislation for states

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Monday he would introduce legislation in the Senate to "free states" from the overhaul's mandates, including provisions requiring individuals and businesses to buy health coverage as well as the law's Medicaid expansions.

The Associated Press: Let States Opt Out Of Health Care Law, SC Gov Says
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham said Monday they are backing federal legislation that would free states from mandates of the new national health care laws while advocates say they're playing politics. Graham said he'll introduce a bill that will allow states to opt out of requirements that are at the heart of the new law, including mandates for individuals and businesses to buy coverage, as well as expansion of state Medicaid programs and minimum coverage requirements (Davenport, 2/14).

McClatchy/The (Columbia, SC) State: S.C. Gov. Haley, Sen. Graham Push For Health Care Law Opt-Out
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Gov. Nikki Haley on Monday opened the S.C. front in the Republican Party's battle to roll back health care legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama last year. At a State House news conference, Graham and Haley took turns blasting the law as an expensive federal takeover of the nation's health care system. Graham said the law, which won 60 votes in the 100-member U.S. Senate, was passed through a "sleazy" process that offered no opportunity for GOP input. Graham also said he has introduced legislation to allow South Carolina and other states to "opt out" of the law, which is being challenged in federal courts (Washington, 2/15).

National Journal: Graham To Propose State Opt-Out Bill
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., announced today that he will introduce a bill allowing states to opt out of the individual mandate and other provisions of the health care law. During a press conference with Gov. Nikki Haley, R-S.C., Graham proposed legislation giving states a choice on retaining the individual and employer mandates to purchase insurance and opting-out of the Medicaid expansion (Fung, 2/14).