Legislators urge action on health care
State House and Senate Republicans ask Attorney General to file suit against health care reform
Helena – Republican members of the state legislature have sent a letter to Attorney General Bullock urging him to join other states that have challenged the legality of the recently passed federal health care legislation. The letter was signed by 49 Republicans in the State House and 25 Republicans in the State Senate.
In the letter the Republicans noted that, they acknowledge the need for health care reform in the state of Montana to provide affordable health insurance options to the people of our state, they do not concur with laws that are in violation of our founding principles and particularly our federal Constitution
“This is bill is bad for Montanans and it sets a dangerous precedent for future federal power grabs,” said Rep. Tom McGillvray (Billings). “Attorney General Bullock should set his own political ambitions and agenda aside and join the other states filing lawsuits against this bill because it’s the right thing to do for Montanans.”
Republicans signing the letter are:
Senators: Sen. Bob Story, Sen. Jeff Essmann, Sen. Terry Murphy, Sen. Roy Brown, Sen. Taylor Brown, Sen. Aubyn Curtiss, Sen. Ryan Zinke, Sen. Jerry Black, Sen. Debby Barrett, Sen. Jim Peterson, Sen. Daniel W. McGee, Sen. Jim Shockley, Sen. Rick Laible, Sen. Dave Lewis, Sen. Don Steinbeisser, Sen. Gary Perry, Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, Sen. Joe Balyeat, Sen. John Esp, Sen. Keith Bales, Sen. Greg Hinkle, Sen. Verdel Jackson, Sen. Kelly Gephardt, Sen. Greg Barkus, Sen. John Brendon.
Representatives:
Rep. Scott Sales, Rep. Tom McGillvray, Rep. Cary Smith, Rep. Ken Peterson, Rep. Mike Miller, Rep. Ray Hawk, Rep. Lee Randall, Rep. Pat Ingraham, Rep. Duane Ankney, Rep. Gordon Hendrick, Rep. Gary MacLaren, Rep. Janna Taylor, Rep. Scott Reichner, Rep. Bob Wagner, Rep. Dave Howard, Rep. Keith Regier, Rep. Scott Mendenhall, Rep. Bob Lake, Rep. Ted Washburn, Rep. Penny Morgan, Rep. Jeff Welborn, Rep. Bill Beck, Rep. Jerry Bennett, Rep. Walter McNutt, Rep. Jessie O’Hara, Rep. Dee Brown, Rep. Krayton Kerns, Rep. Mike Milburn, Rep. Dennis Himmelberger, Rep. Dave Kaston, Rep. Harry Klock, Rep. Don Roberts, Rep. Llew Jones, Rep. Chas Vincent, Rep. Michael More, Rep. Wendy Warburton, Rep. Brian Hoven, Rep. Tom Berry, Rep. Ed Butcher, Rep. Gordy Vance, Rep. Jon Sonju, Rep. Ron Stoker, Rep. Wayne Stahl, Rep. Joel Boniek, Rep. Roy Hollandsworth, Rep. Bill Nooney, Rep. Elsie Arntzen. Rep. Russell Bean, Rep. Mark Blasdel.
