Attorney General's News Release

August 12, 2011

Attorney General Koster offers statement regarding 11th Circuit decision on Affordable Care Act -- Missouri only state in the country to file brief consistent with Court’s decision --

Jefferson City, Mo. – Thirty-seven states filed briefs before the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit regarding the Affordable Care Act:

•  Twenty-six states argued that the individual mandate is unconstitutional and that the Affordable Care Act should be struck down in its entirety.
•  Ten states defended the individual mandate, arguing the entire law is constitutional.
•  Missouri is the only state in the country to file a brief consistent with the 11th Circuit’s decision that the individual mandate is unconstitutional but the rest of the law should be allowed to stand.

“I continue to support the goal of expanded health care for all Missourians,” Koster said. “I agree with the 11th Circuit that the majority of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act are severable from the problematic constitutional issues raised by the individual mandate.”