State Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says he will pursue a legal challenge a federal health care overhaul passed Sunday night by Congress State Attorney General Buddy Caldwell says he will pursue a legal challenge a federal health care overhaul passed Sunday night by Congress and which President Obama plans to sign into law today. WWL in New Orleans is reporting Caldwell's office says it will be pursuing the issue, but is yet to decide whether it will be joining a coalition with other states or filing a separate lawsuit.
Yesterday Gov. Bobby Jindal blasted the bill as "bad for Louisiana" and "bad for our country." He asked Caldwell to look into legal remedies, including challenging the bill on the basis of the 10th amendment which deals with state sovereignty and the bill's use of a commerce clause to force people to purchase health insurance.
The healthcare legislation will reduce funding that now goes to the LSU-run charity hospital system, while at the same time forcing an expansion of Medicaid that will cost the state an estimated $345 million when fully phased in, in the year 2021.