Republicans start assault on new health bill

By Candy Lashkari

Almost instantly after the successful passing of the health bill by the Democrats in Congress, the Republicans have started opposing it. In Florida the legal battle is led by Attorney General Bill McCollum, who happens to be a Republican running for governor. In a statement made at a news conference Bill McCollum told the press that a lawsuit would be filed once the health care bill was signed by President Obama and turned into Law.

Ten other states with Republican Attorney Generals expected to counter the law in court include Alabama, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Michigan and Washington. While Bill McCollum insists that the lawsuit is about the suitability of the health care bill as law rather than politics, it is difficult to take the fact at face value with the ballot boxes calling. Is it the Republican hope that the new law gets dismantled before it has a chance to show any effect?

The new health law is being opposed on the grounds that people cannot be forced to buy health insurance. There is a provision for fines being levied on the defaulters who do not buy health insurance. This is being seen as a “radical overreach by the federal government” by Attorney General Mike Cox, Republican from Michigan, who said "We will fight to defend the individual rights and freedoms of Michigan citizens against this radical overreach by the federal government."

As the majority of Americans view the proposed “ObamaCare” health law with some opposition, the Republicans are making a good assault on the already declining approval ratings for the Democratic Government and the President himself. The real issue here is can Congress get individuals to buy health care insurance, by force, even if he does not want to? Is the voluntary act of purchasing insurance to become a compulsion? It may help the over all health care system, but it may not help the Democrats at the ballot box.