States uncertain on reform implementation after Federal Court ruling

In the wake of a federal judge’s ruling Monday that the individual mandate in Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional, some states have decided to put all health reform implementation plans on hold (Source: “States Diverge on How to Deal With Health Care Ruling,” New York Times, Feb. 1, 2011)

“We’re not going to spend a lot of time and money with regard to trying to get ready to implement that until we know exactly what is going to happen,” said newly elected Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican.

Republican governors from Idaho and Wisconsin expressed similar sentiments. Ohio Gov. John Kasich has not announced any change in plans to move forward with reform implementation.

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine praised the Federal Court ruling. On his first day in office, DeWine made good on a campaign promise and joined 25 other states in a federal lawsuit aimed at having the reform law declared unconstitutional because of the individual mandate (Source: “DeWine praises Florida ruling against health reform,” Columbus Business First, Feb. 1, 2011).

In a statement, DeWine said the ruling “confirms the alarming overreach made by the federal government and sends a clear message that the federal government cannot regulate commerce by forcing citizens into the marketplace to buy a product.”