O'Malley won't join McDonnell in calling for quick review of federal health law
John Wagner reports on the Maryland Politics blog that Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) has rebuffed an offer by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) to join him in requesting an expedited Supreme Court review of this week's ruling by a federal judge in Virginia that part of the nation's massive new health law is unconstitutional.
"As you acknowledged on the phone, we have a difference of opinion on the underlying issue -- I believe that affordable healthcare for all Americans regardless of pre-existing conditions will strengthen our nation and make America more competitive in the new global economy," O'Malley wrote in a letter dated Thursday that was released by his office Friday.
According to the ruling in the case, brought by McDonnell and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II (R), it is unconstitutional for the government to compel Americans to buy health insurance.
"Most of the judicial opinions arising out of these nuisance cases are actually upholding the law," O'Malley wrote to McDonnell. "And on the narrow issue of personal responsibility, I believe that too will be upheld -- just as mandatory automobile insurance coverage has been upheld in years past in your state and mine."
Read the full post on the Maryland Politics blog.
By
Washington Post Editors
| December 17, 2010; 12:46 PM ET
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