Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder Press Releases
February 15, 2012
Lt. Governor Peter Kinder statement on Koster healthcare briefs
JEFFERSON CITY – Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder today released the following statement on the filing by Attorney General Chris Koster's office of amicus briefs in support of a Florida lawsuit against the federal healthcare law:
"Once again, Attorney General Koster arrives late to the game then refuses to suit up. Although he agrees the federal healthcare law's individual mandate is unconstitutional – as I have contended in my constitutional challenge before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit – he wants the intrusive, ill-conceived and burdensome law to stand.
"AG Koster's position does not adequately defend the Missouri Health Care Freedom Act, approved overwhelmingly by Missouri voters in August of 2010. Meanwhile, Koster has been practically silent on the lawsuit I and other Missouri citizens have filed opposing the federal healthcare law. That lawsuit has the support of 21 states and officials and elected representatives from four more states, including all of those within the Eighth Circuit.
"It is crucial that leaders of our state join the battle for Missourians' constitutional rights and freedoms, not issue Johnny-come-lately legal briefs for political reasons."