March 29, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS - Congressman André Carson released the following statement today reacting to Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller's decision to join a lawsuit challenging the new health care reform law.

"I have great respect for our Attorney General Greg Zoeller, but I completely disagree with his decision to join a suit challenging the new health reform law.

"The Constitution gives broad authority to Congress to regulate activities that substantially impact interstate commerce, and this authority has been further defined and strengthened through case law via the U.S. Supreme Court. There is no question our health care system affects our national economy-it accounts for nearly 16 percent of our GDP.

"Furthermore, the new law's requirement for shared responsibility among people to carry health coverage is similar to many state laws requiring auto insurance. The health reform law simply uses the tax code to incentivize Americans to have health insurance to prevent passing on their emergency medical costs to the broader tax base.

"The fact is we've had this debate for more than a year, and I believe the American people and Hoosiers are growing tired of the continuous political posturing on this topic.

"Our state leaders should be focused on ensuring every Hoosier can take full advantage of these historic enhancements to our health care system-not wasting taxpayer money to fight and eliminate these health benefits for small businesses, middle-class families and seniors."

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