government
Bills question health reform
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 20, 2010
Sen. Roger Wicker (R, Miss.) singled out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as a key target of legislation he introduced Dec. 9 -- a bill that would allow state officials to challenge any rule a federal agency proposes if state leaders determine it infringes on powers reserved for states under the 10th Amendment.
"Repealing Obamacare remains one of my top priorities, and until we can achieve that goal, I am fighting to stop harmful regulations from going into effect under the new law," Wicker said. "This bill would give state officials another tool to challenge the unconstitutional overreach of the federal government."
Under the legislation, governors, lieutenant governors and majority or minority leaders in state legislatures would be able to challenge federal agencies' rules and regulations. Once a challenge is filed, the agency would have 15 days to withdraw the rule or certify its constitutionality. Rep. Tom Cole (R, Okla.) introduced companion legislation in the House.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/12/20/gvbf1220.htm.
