More states join suit against health law

PENSACOLA, Fla., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Six states taken over by Republicans in the November elections have joined Florida's challenge to the national healthcare law.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion in Pensacola federal court Tuesday adding Iowa, Ohio, Kansas, Wyoming, Wisconsin and Maine to the list of plaintiffs, bringing the number to 26, The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reported.

``It sends a strong message that more than half of the states consider the healthcare law unconstitutional and are willing to fight it in court,'' Bondi said. ``I look forward to continuing to defend Florida's families and businesses against this unconstitutional law."

The suit asserts the law violates the commerce clause of the Constitution by forcing people to buy health insurance under penalty. It also takes on the expansion of Medicaid as infringing on state's rights.

With a legislative repeal unlikely to advance past the U.S. House of Representatives, the main battle looms in the courts. Virginia has its own lawsuit and Oklahoma plans one as well.

A ruling is expected in weeks, but the case is expected to go to the U.S. Supreme Court.