Statement by Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Regarding Today's Decision in the Health Care Reform Suit

MADISON – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen made the following statement in light of today’s decision in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida by the Honorable Roger Vinson, in which Judge Vinson agreed the law contained fatal Constitutional flaws consistent with the arguments made by Attorney General Van Hollen and twenty-five other Attorney’ General.

Judge Vinson has confirmed the conclusion I reached when this law was enacted.  Congress is free to reform health care, but it must do so in a Constitutional manner. It simply does not have the authority to require people to either purchase health insurance or pay a fine. 

Now, we wait to see if the federal government has finally gotten the message.  If they don’t get the message, and decide to appeal the case, as they did when they lost in Virginia, my colleagues and I will continue our fight to defend the Constitution and protect the people of Wisconsin from this unconstitutional law. 

Judge Vincent’s decision is available at: