Wyoming to Join Health Care Challenge

 “Wyoming’s voice needs to be heard,” Mead said, in announcing the move. 

Governor Mead, who took office this month, said that Wyoming will participate in the case through its final resolution, likely in the United States Supreme Court.  He noted the initial cost to join the lawsuit was $1000.00, though he noted that “additional costs might be assessed if the case proceeds to the U.S. Supreme Court which is expected”.   

Mead also noted there are issues other than those involved in the Florida case, that relate to the federal health care law, such as forthcoming regulations, which could require additional legal expenditures; and consequently he supports legislation this session that would establish a health litigation fund.   

Mead, a Republican, was elected to office last November, defeating Democratic candidate Leslie Petersen, who ran after incumbent Governor Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, decided not to run for a third term.

Nearly two dozen states are challenging the health care legislation at present, though that number will expand if new pending requests from Ohio, and Kansas are granted, in addition to Wyoming.  Additionally, Oklahoma has recently announced its intention to file an independent challenge to the legislation (see Sooner State Takes on PPACA Individual Mandate – Alone).  To date, two federal judges have ruled that the legislation is constitutional (see Judge Declares HCR Law Constitutional, Liberty College HCR Challenge Dismissed), one has rejected that argument (see Judge Strikes Down HCR Coverage Mandate), and the federal judge in Florida who is hearing the case brought by the 20 states has not yet ruled (Court Green Lights FL HCR Challenge).

More information about the challenge is available at https://si-interactive.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/plansponsor-com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/25040257/MagazineArticle.aspx_.jpg?id=6442472412