We the Undersigned Respectfully Request…

February 9, 2011

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. Brewer, Arizona

Governor Rick Scott, Florida

Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia

Governor C. L. “Butch” Otter, Idaho

Governor Terry E. Brandstad, Iowa

Governor Mitch Daniels, Indiana

Governor Sam Brownback, Kansas

Governor Bobby Jindal, Louisiana

Governor Paul R. LePage, Maine

Governor Rick Snyder, Michigan

Governor Haley Barbour, Mississippi

Governor Brian Sandoval, Nevada

Governor David Heineman, Nebraska

Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey

Governor Susana Martinez, New Mexico

Governor John R. Kasich, Ohio

Governor Nikki Haley, South Carolina

Governor Bill Haslam, Tennessee

Governor Gary R. Herbert, Utah

Governor Scott Walker, Wisconsin

Governor Jack Dalrymple, North Dakota

Governor Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania

Governor Dennis Daugaard, South Dakota

Governor Rick Perry, Texas

Governor Robert F. McDonnell, Virginia

Governor Matthew H. Mead, Wyoming

(This letter was reprinted with permission from Hutchison & Steffen, Las Vegas, Nevada. – Ed.)