Text: Republican Governors Ask For Faster Review Of Health Overhaul Lawsuits

On Wednesday, 28 GOP governors sent a letter to President Obama asking him to foster faster review of the health care overhaul lawsuits so the Supreme Court can rule on their constitutionality “as soon as possible.” Here’s text of the letter:

Governors Lawsuit Letter http://d1.scribdassets.com/ScribdViewer.swf 

President Barack Obama The White House Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

The undersigned governors hereby express our strong support for an expedited appeal of the Virginia and Florida health care lawsuits recently decided in favor of the states. We respectfully ask that you direct the United States Department of Justice to support an expedited appellate process for each case to reach the United States Supreme Court as soon as possible in order to resolve the significant constitutional issues presented, which we all agree are of national importance. Regardless of our respective positions on the merits of the policies in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), every state faces significant challenges and expenses implementing PPACA over the next several years. Additionally, there is little doubt that the cases will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. This request for expedited review takes no position on PPACA, but seeks only to obtain the Supreme Court’s final determination as soon as possible.

Given the daunting and costly financial and regulatory burdens that our states and the private sector will face in implementing PPACA over the coming years, particularly during this unprecedented budgetary time, public interest requires expediting a final resolution of the litigation to give certainty as soon as possible. We should not endure years of litigation in the circuit courts, when the Supreme Court can promptly provide finality. This resolution can help prevent the states and the private sector from undertaking potentially unnecessary measures and expenses. More importantly, our businesses, health care providers, and citizens of our great nation need to know as soon as possible whether all or part of the law will be upheld or stricken, so they know their options and obligations.

To that end, we respectfully ask that you promptly support an expedited appellate process for each of the pending cases to achieve quick resolution by the United States Supreme Court and to encourage the United States Department of Justice to join these efforts.

Thank you for your consideration and prompt attention to this important national matter.

Sincerely,

Governor Robert Bentley Alabama

Governor Sean Parnell Alaska

Governor Janice K. BrewerArizona 

Governor Rick Scott Florida

Governor Nathan DealGeorgia

Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter Idaho

Governor Mitch DanielsIndiana

Governor Terry E. Branstad Iowa

Governor Sam BrownbackKansas

Governor Bobby Jindal Louisiana

Governor Paul R. LePageMaine

Governor Rick Snyder Michigan

Governor Haley BarbourMississippi

Governor David Heineman Nebraska

Governor Brian SandovalNevada

Governor Chris Christie New Jersey

Governor Susana MartinezNew Mexico

Governor Jack Dalrymple North Dakota

Governor John R. KasichOhio

Governor Tom Corbett Pennsylvania

Governor Nikki HaleySouth Carolina

Governor Dennis Daugaard South Dakota

Governor Bill HaslamTennessee

Governor Rick Perry Texas

Governor Gary R. HerbertUtah

Governor Robert F. McDonnell Virginia

Governor Scott WalkerWisconsin

Governor Matthew H. Mead Wyoming