Minnesota GOP lawmakers file brief in health care lawsuit

News outlets report on how states are dealing with the new federal health law.

MinnPost: Health Care Amicus Brief Latest Example Of GOP's Small-Tent Politics
Republican legislators ... have filed an amicus brief supporting 26 states that are claiming that federal health care reforms signed into law last year are unconstitutional. ... With only nine days left in the session, this action seems to create another huge obstacle between the governor, who embraces the federal health care reforms, and House and Senate leaders who tonight are to reconcile in conference committee a Human Services bill that will be filled with language and policy opposing all aspects of the federal reforms (Grow, 5/12). 

The Lund Report (Oregon): Health Exchange Bill Stalls In House
A bill to create a health insurance exchange in Oregon appears locked in an impasse on the House side as lawmakers are unable to reach agreement over whether the exchange should negotiate with insurers for lower premiums (Rosenfeld, 5/12). 

Modern Healthcare: Six Health Care Measures Become Law In Washington
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signed six bills into law, three that help the state conform to the federal healthcare reform law and three that beef up state oversight of healthcare. ... Gregoire signed a bill that creates a state health insurance exchange; a bill that extends insurance coverage to dependents under the age of 26, removes lifetime benefit maximums and prevents insurance companies from denying coverage to people under 19 because of pre-existing conditions (Barr, 5/12).