Derek Skees, Republican candidate for Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, was first to call in on the talk show today following the ruling from the Supreme Court. While disappointed with the overall approval of Obamacare, he called the ruling a victory for states rights, citing the Court’s rejection of the use of the Commerce Clause. He also cited the Court’s ruling that the federal government could not punish states for failing to implement federal mandates. (Click here to listen to Thursday’s show)
For more background on that point, The Wall Street Journal has this:
However, Chief Justice Roberts wrote that the Medicaid portion “violates the Constitution by threatening existing Medicaid funding.” He said the remedy for the violation was to preclude the federal government from imposing a sanction on states that decline to accept an expansion of Medicaid under the law’s provisions. But he said that remedy “does not require striking down other portions” of the law.
Meanwhile, the current Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Monica Lindeen, is apparently hailing the ruling. Lindeen told Lee Newspapers’ Mike Dennison that she will ask the next legislature to restore state authority in health-reform areas, now that the law is upheld.
Constitutional or not, do Montanans want the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance moving forward with the implementation of Obamacare? Even if Lindeen is re-elected, without a dramatic shift in party control at the Montana State Legislature, don’t expect a positive reception.
Ray Wright
Thursday, June 28, 2012 8:42 PM
I have not read the whole bill but what I read I can not understand why it is called a healthcare bill it is more about control and taking away our rights.One big question I have is if it is a HEALTHCARE BILL why does it talk of the hireing of IRS adgents but has little to say about hireing DOCTORS and it says they can go into your private bank accounts and force you to buy wow if I read the consitition right thats not allowed.