GOP Candidate Enters the Ring on Health Care Fight

GOP Candidate Enters the Ring on Health Care Fight

A Republican candidate for Attorney General today called on current office-holder Patrick Lynch to join other states in suing the federal government over the new health care bill.

“I again call on Attorney General Lynch to stand up for the rights of Rhode Islanders by joining the lawsuit filed by other states’ attorneys general challenging the health care legislation as a violation of the constitutional rights of individuals and the states,” Wallin said.

His statement came after Gov. Don Carcieri made a similar appeal earlier this week.

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Lynch has responded by saying he believes the law is constitutional and will help uninsured Rhode Islanders and the taxpayers who bear the burden of covering their medical care.  

“Attorney General Lynch seems to believe, without any legal precedent, that health care is a constitutionally protected right and that Rhode Islanders should be forced to purchase it or face a fine,” Wallin said. “No federal court has ever reached such a conclusion and to assert his personal belief as justification may be fine as a candidate for governor, but not as the current Attorney General.”