Following House passage of the Democrats’ health care reform bill last night, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Lewisville) Chairman of the Congressional Health Care Caucus, vowed to assist Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott in his legal efforts to repeal sections of the legislation.
“I am very concerned about the legality of several aspects of the so-called health care reform bill passed by the House of Representatives last night, which I strongly opposed and voted against,” Burgess said.
“The constitutionality of the individual mandate, special deals for certain states, and state-funded Medicaid expansions are all questionable, and I will not stand by and let these concerns go unchallenged.”
“The federal health care legislation passed tonight violates the United States Constitution and unconstitutionally infringes upon Texans’ individual liberties,” Abbott said in a statement Sunday night. “To protect all Texans’ constitutional rights, preserve the constitutional framework intended by our nation’s founders, and defend our state from further infringement by the federal government, the State of Texas and other states will legally challenge the federal health care legislation.”
Burgess hosted a conference call over the weekend with General Abbott and the Texas GOP Congressional delegation, which offered Members the opportunity to ask the Attorney General questions about the legal actions he plans to take regarding the portions of the health bill he sees as unconstitutional.
“Texas is fortunate to have a leader like General Abbott who is taking a strong stand against the provisions in the bill he thinks may infringe upon Texans’ constitutional rights, and I am proud to work with him as we fight to repeal the harmful and unlawful issues we both consider to be great concerns,” Burgess continued. “General Abbott assured me that Texas will be ready, and I am happy to join him in this undertaking.”
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