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Tuesday, March 23, 2010

The McKenna backlash continues

Rob McKenna's decision to put the State of Washington's name on an ill-conceived Republican scheme to invalidate the just-signed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is still provoking an incredibly strong response a full twenty four hours after it was first confirmed.

In the wake of her condemnation of McKenna's actions during media availability yesterday, State Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown has sent McKenna a letter formally asking him to reconsider. She also confirmed that she and Speaker Frank Chopp are investigating the possibility of writing a provision into the state budget forbidding McKenna from spending public money in an attempt to deny uninsured Washingtonians the healthcare they need and deserve.

The Washington State Democratic Party announced it had filed a public records request for "all documents relating in any way to your decision to join in bringing or threatening a lawsuit challenging some or all of the historic health-care legislation approved by the House of Representatives on March 21, 2010."

"The public has a right to know whether McKenna generated this idea himself or whether he is acting on behalf of the National Republican Party or the insurance industry," argued Dwight Pelz, Chair of the Washington State Democratic Party.

Pelz, who formerly served on the King County Council with McKenna, added that the Party wants to know how much the suit will cost the people of Washington State.

The Washington State Labor Council also chimed in on Tuesday, adding its voice to those of many others blasting McKenna for his thoughtless meddling.

"His participation in this suit without consulting the Governor and our elected state leaders is inappropriate and we call on him to withdraw his name - and our state - from this partisan political showmanship on the taxpayers' dime," WSLC President Rick Bender said.

Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, in contrast, came to McKenna's defense, releasing a statement agreeing with him and repeating previously recycled boilerplate about how awful it is that insurance companies will now be on a tighter leash.

Meanwhile, the Facebook group Washington Taxpayers OPT OUT of Rob McKenna's lawsuit has surpassed eight thousand members. At the beginning of the day, its membership was only half that number. It certainly indicates that Washingtonians are angry at McKenna.

Comments:

OpenID Mary A said...

I'm unhappy with McKenna as I strongly suspect he's just being an obstructionist. But, his post on the web suggests the suit challenges just the provision that forces purchase of health insurance as a matter of state's rights. Is there any merit to scrutinizing the legislation from this point of view? My own gut reaction is... Well YOU make me buy auto insurance, so.. YOU can do it, but THEY can't? If the states want to take respnsibility for healthcare reform, why have they not done so, prempting the Federal action?

March 23, 2010 7:41 PM  
Blogger murphmaster said...

That page is full of angry people who seem to be simply believing what they're being told. They're swearing, throwing insults, and making threats. That's hardly an indication of how the average Washingtonian feels. It's rather indicative of the lynch mob mentality.

March 23, 2010 8:25 PM  
Blogger rewinn said...

Was McKenna foolish enough to communicate with GOP officials using state facilities in the process of planning this? We can't know until his phone logs & emails are checked, but is it not an amazing coincidence that ALL of the members of that lawsuit are in the same political party?

March 23, 2010 8:50 PM  
Blogger Buckywunder said...

Actually, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) has a provision in the legislation that allows for states to opt out. He put that in there to allow states the ability to set up their own health care systems, including a public option, if they choose -- as long as they can pay for it.

So Rob McKenna's frivolous lawsuit is totally moot and will last about five minutes before any judge of sound mind and body -- just keep it away from the Supreme Court.

March 24, 2010 8:40 PM  

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