government

Arizona group sues to bar health reform law

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Aug. 23, 2010

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

The Goldwater Institute, a conservative watchdog group, has sued to block the national health system reform law on behalf of a small-business man and more than 30 state and federal lawmakers from Arizona.

The Aug. 12 lawsuit is the latest attempt to prevent Americans from being required to have health insurance or pay a tax penalty, a provision of the health reform law taking effect in 2014. "This is the most overbearing and intrusive way possible to try to address America's rising health care costs," Clint Bolick, litigation director for the Goldwater Institute, said in a statement.

The lawsuit's lead plaintiff, Nick Coons of Tempe, Ariz., owns a computer consulting and servicing company and is the Libertarian candidate for Arizona's 5th congressional district. He said he wants to continue to pay for health care out of his own pocket.

"Is a stranger who works for the government in some other part of the country really going to know what I need?" Coons asked.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court of Arizona and names President Obama, Treasury Dept. Secretary Tim Geithner, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius as defendants.

Coons is joined in the lawsuit by Arizona Republican Reps. Jeff Flake, Trent Franks, and John Shadegg and 29 state legislators. At least 21 states have filed or joined other lawsuits against the health reform law. Information about the latest lawsuit is online (link).

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/08/23/gvbf0823.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn