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StumbleGibbons: Nevada will sue if health care bill becomes law
Published Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 | 6:17 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010 | 6:40 p.m.
Gov. Jim Gibbons continued to attack Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the health care reform being debated in Congress, promising to sue the federal government if the health care legislation becomes law.
“Senator Reid is treating the citizens of Nevada and other states unfairly,” Gibbons said in a press release this evening . “His health care bill is not only ill-conceived, but I believe it is illegal.”
The press release said, “the United States Constitution makes numerous references to states having ‘equal standing,’ also duties, imposts and excises are to be ‘uniform throughout the United States.’”
It’s unclear whether Gibbons has the authority by himself to file a lawsuit. Most legal matters involving the state are the purview of the state attorney general, Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat.
Robin Reedy, Gibbons’ chief of staff, acknowledged that the attorney general is the law firm for the state “and has discretion as to what they will pursue.” But, she said, “the Office of the Governor has legal counsel in house... If there are no contracts and expenses were kept within our budget there would be no need for any other approval.”
She also said, “It is my understanding that anyone can sue anyone for anything.”
The governor’s legal staff consists of his general counsel, Adriana Fralick, who was previously counsel to the state Ethics Commission.
Jon Summers, spokesman for Reid, called this: “Another attempt by the governor to distract from his failed leadership. This bill is good for Nevada because it lowers insurance premiums for consumers, provides access (to health care) to 518,000 Nevadans, and makes it more affordable for small businesses to provide coverage to their employees.”
Gibbons has been particularly critical of the deal Reid cut with Nebraska Senator Ben Nelson to get his support for the bill. The bill guarantees that Nebraska’s portion of costs of expanding Medicaid will be paid for by the federal government for an indefinite period.
Nevada government administrators have estimated that the reform bill would cost the state $613 million over six years, after the federal government’s 100 percent subsidy for the first three years expires.
The health care reform that Reid has spearheaded is currently being reconciled between the House and Senate.
Gibbons had previously asked Cortez Masto to look at the constitutionality of the bill. She responded that the bill is not yet finalized, and that the governor’s staff has not provide a list of concerns about the bill.
Gibbons, who faces a competitive primary in June and trails in the polls, has been using strong language to attack Reid’s health care in state-issued press releases.
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And where does he think he's going to get the money from to "sue" the Federal Goverment. I guess we figured out why the sudden interest in cutting education...
Money? it'll be a heck of a lot cheaper to sue the Federal Government than implementing the health care plan. Good for Gibbons - finally some people with authority are standing up to this useless corrupt government.
THANK YOU GIBBONS! I'm glad that someone has the courage to stand up to Reid!
Heath care reform as proposed is a joke. The Federal Government is very much a party to the current situation. Federal, State and local governments have manipulated health insurers into giving them the lowest premiums with the best coverage because they have large number of insured. But by doing so, the insurers had to pass higher premiums to the rest of the risk pool. Then it was decided that Medicare and Medicaid enrollees would be placed in HMOs. How much of the money paid to the HMOs to do think actually gets spent on health care? HMOs are also responsible for the current state of affairs because they have told hospitals and doctors we wont let you see our patients unless you accept deep discounts. Hospitals have to bear the cost of indigent care while not being paid fair compensation by insurers. I could go on and on. Before Washington forces something else on the American people they need to try to understand why the current system does not work. Access to healthcare sucks even when you have insurance and rural American hardly has any primary care physicians. Huge problem with no easy solutions.
Harry Reid is the most dangerous man alive, and has positioned our country on a downward spiral course, not to mention how he has not stood up to Obama when Obama told people to stay away from Vegas. Your going to be voted OUT of office Reid!!!!!
Gibbons is a joke. Total wack job.
Enviroprotector Obama never said for people to stay out of Nevada. That is your voices in your head. You are a very stupid person. Dont you have some food to serve somewhere?
Why doesn't Gibbons declare himself emperor, president-for-life, and imperial dictator?
He tried to get rid of an independently elected NSHE Board of Regents.
He is trying to get rid of an independently elected Nevada Board of Education.
He wants to ignore the Legislature's Interim Finance Committee.
He appointed his own economic stimulus czar.
He refuses to meet and work with the state Legislature.
He wanted to ignore the judge in his divorce and keep his indiscretions secret.
He now wants to ignore the elected Attorney General and assume her Constitutional duties.
Gibbons wants to get rid of that whole pesky three branches of governor, the checks and balances, and the Nevada Constitution in the name of "preserving" the US Constitution.
Is Gibbons arguing that I don't have to buy car insurance and businesses no longer have to provide workers' comp and unemployment insurance in Nevada?
Less than zero is right.
At least by now people realize nothing Gibbons says actually comes true. I just laugh when i hear the lil monkeys next jokes.
I say they are both on equal footing if this healthcare thing includes coverage for millions of illegal aliens and their anchor baby kids.
One believes in hiding a known illegal in his basement.
The other stands and welcomes them at the border.
One wears grey suits.
The other wears blue.
They are about the same age.
And temperament.
They could be long-lost brothers.
They both serve(d) in Washington, D.C.
They both served in the Nevada Legislature.
Oh, did I mention they are both friends to the millions of illegal aliens and their anchor baby kids...?
(And neither one can even spell E-Verify...)
Sue the Federal Government and win!!! Hahahahahahahhaha! What is he nuts??
Its ABOUT time NEVADA wakes up and realizes that Reid has NO interest in his state. Really a shame when you have to BRIBE people to get their votes! In 2010 it will be GOODBYE HARRY. Time for him to return to SEARCHLIGHT and pan for gold. And his so-called spokesman - Jon Sommers - can go with him. Good Riddance to BOTH!
Gibbons should stick to what he is really good at, which is chasing married women!
The people of Nevada should sue Gibbons for being Governor while being an idiot.
This guy is doing nothing but playing politics because everytime Reid says anything the Gibbon Monkey has something negative to say. Not one positive proposal comes out of this guy's mouth.
Maybe he ought to stick with assaulting women because we're tired of him assaulting the good senses of the Nevada taxpayers.
I'll "Thank you" folks in advance for voting this clown out of office. Please tell me one time where he's made the news in a positive light or by putting together a decent piece of legislation--you just can't. He does nothing but bash that of which he knows not! Those of you who seem think that this guy was ever worthy of office and knock Harry Reid in the same breath are political infants. Whether you comprehend it or not, Harry Reid will go down in history as one of the Senate's greatest leader's, you should be fortunate he hails from this state.
Just like old W, when you think you've heard the dumbest things spout from his mouth, he gives an encore. The scary part is all of the common folk who think (like they did about W) that this guy is out for their best interests. He doesn't care about you, your kids, or your grandkids. His voucher proposal in education would give his rich buddies a tax break to do what they always have, send their kids to private school. This way, they never rub elbows with us low-lifes. Do think he sits around the country club talking about saving people money on healthcare or how your rights are being infringed upon? Wake up, this clown is letting us go bankrupt right under his nose as he listens to nobody's advice (like W). Healthcare is a business and right now probably the number one business buying votes in Washington. Mayber Jim can earn another cruise or did we forget?
Jim Gibbons. I want to sue you for the federal tax dollars you spent when you controlled the BLACK OPS Budget. You fecking fat head.
Why none of this matters:
When the Government passed laws to revamp the credit card industry, the industry responded by immediately implementing changes to increase fees and penalties and write in other loopholes so now it costs more to have credit and you have to have an even higher rating to be considered to have "good" credit. The bottom line: the people the laws are supposed to help lose and the greedy win.
When the Government raises the minimum wage, industries immediately increase their prices, employers lay off workers, landlords increase rents: The bottom line: the people the laws are supposed to help lose and the greedy win.
So when this health care law is finally passed, Doctors and hospitals will charge more and the insurance companies will find and exploit loopholes and once again, the bottom line: the people the laws are supposed to help lose and the greedy win.
So a lot of hoopla and emotions over nothing but the big illusion that the Government is actually helping us. The reality is that the greedy will always find a way to squeeze as much money out of the rest of us no matter what law makers do!
Say what you will about Gibbons (and most of it will be well deserved) he is right about this. Harry Reid screwed everyone he had to in order to get 60 votes. It's bad enough that Reid wants every honest, productive citizen to support deadbeats, but now we have to support the deadbeat state of Nebraska as a whole!
In the last week or so, Gym Gibbons has come completely unglued.
All these harebrained schemes he's coming up with... who's advising him these days, Pat Buchanan? Pat Robertson? Pat Gibbons???
Nick :
You must be a total brainwashed idiot to believe that ANYTHING a politician says to have ANY grain a fact or truth. Wake up and smell the roses. Reid, Obama, Gibbons are all the same : BOLD FACED LIARS = Politician
"It's unclear whether Gibbons has the authority by himself to file a lawsuit. Most legal matters involving the state are the purview of the state attorney general, Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat."
Good point -- who does Masto work for? Exactly who is she beholden to? Nevada's government, like the federal and all states, is republican. It has three equally powerful branches for checks and balances. Masto is NOT her own independent little niche with power to do what she wants. Although that's how she acts.
"Robin Reedy, Gibbons' chief of staff, acknowledged that the attorney general is the law firm for the state ..... "It is my understanding that anyone can sue anyone for anything."
Does that describe America or what -- why experiment on rats when there are so many attorneys!
Mr. Gibbons: Sit down and be quiet. You have so many strikes against you that your lackluster reputation need not be spread across the entire front page of the local newspapers.
You don't apparently have any problems with health care that cannot be solved in a divorce court.
Most Americans have health problems that are not solved in divorce courts and many of the problems are caused by the very persons who are purveyors of the caretaker world--the doctors who have grown up with the ideology that if they bend the rules, such as those who take care of persons under the banner of doctor, that the world will look the other way and the increase in cost and profits becomes out of balance.
Sit down, explore your underwear to make sure you aren't wired for take off and be quiet.
Comrads ! Here is a case of not knowing the procedures. The state can sue but look at the cost and time that will be wasted if so. The time to sue came and went with JackAssKenStarr, a man filled with so much hatred of democrates that to this day he sees stars out in Malibu. The Gov. simply informs the legislature of his plan to sue and orders the Att.Gen to proceed and thats that. See, hatred permeates the very principles of all republicans, yes, hate and greed and envy and revenge and warmongering and add to that AWOLBush and Draftie5TimeDodgerCheney you have have a complete understanding of it all ! Must we remember torture and the spying of our government on US, too ?
Comrads! Certainly, merci !!
Out of one side of their mouths it's "tort reform". Out of the other side you get "It is my understanding that anyone can sue anyone for anything." How convenient.
Now we are worried about the Constitution? The GOP was rapidly taking us to fascism by 2008.
It's tough to trample on a document yourself....and then later sue because someone violated you based on the same document.
The ruse is fleecing the public into believing a tax bill will reform a corrupt health care industry.
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So, Catherine Cortez Masto is a democrat. When will these public servants stop playing partisan politics, and do what's right for the People of Nevada? Socialized medicine will require every tax payer to sell-off most of their possessions just to pay the costs of this boondoggle. It's time for Masto to do the RIGHT THING, and file suit against the Federal Government. I'm sick of party politics superseding the will of the People.
Jim Gibbons is a national joke, and stuff like this just continues to cement his image and a complete and utter moron.
In his State of the State Address last week, Jim Gibbons repeated over and over and over again how he wouldn't raise taxes without once mentioning the fact that his budget included a whopping $292 million tax hike! It's buried in the fine print within the 2,870 pages of the governor's "Executive Budget: 2009-2011 Biennium" proposal.
Chuck Muth"..
Jim would know about illegal. Ooooh, macho Gibbons is going to sue the Federal Government. Lately the governor has been very vocal -- "Stop collective bargaining!" "End class reduction!" "Thwart 5 year olds!" "Sue the government!" Did Rip Van Gibbons suddenly wake up from his stupor induced by extra marital affairs and non stop texting to flex his muscles for the Right becasue someone finally told him he is toast this year? I expect him to host a tea party on the lawn of the governor's mansion. The man is bleagh.
Everyone can make fun of the governor and say bad things about him, but remember this: his stance on this is absolutely correct. History will prove that the Health Care Reform legislation is absolutely bad for the American people. For the doubters, take the time to do the research. If the Senate bill was so good, why was it necessary for Reid et al to bribe senators from his own party (HUGE bribes)?
Way to go Governor Gibbons!!!
It is my concern as a citizen that the politics of our governor seem to be based on little more than a vestigal conservative philosophy that is no longer applicable to the modern landscape. It is not any great thing to exude hatred or contempt toward our fellow Americans. This constant sort of Fox newish otherization will only hurt our country. My comment is that we remember 9-11 and attempt to unify our politics for the common good. Because the old school GOP mantra seems aimed at attacking our own citizens it is no longer of any benefit to America. What we need is unification and positive constructive thinking with the resolve to survive in a world of anti-American hostility. Nothing personal to the Gov. but his mindset belongs to a former era and is of no practical use in todays world. He can do little more than constant damage under his span of control.
I admire Gibbons, he has problems and the Sun hates him-he doesnt care, he just keeps slugging away at the lefties.
Gibbons is a corporate teabagger.
Can poor people sue him?