Note to Kansas politicos: A federal judge in Detroit ruled this week that the requirement that everyone buy health insurance is, indeed, constitutional.
Judge George Steeh said that a decision not to buy insurance would, in effect, be a decision to pay for health care out of pocket when illness or injury occurred. That decision would impact the national economy because medical care costs that individuals could not pay from their own resources would be shifted to hospitals, doctors, taxpayers and people who are covered by insurance.
The judge also observed that universal coverage was an “essential element” of health care reform.
This is, of course, only the first ruling in what may be 15 or more. Other judges may differ from Judge Steeh. It is likely that the matter will wind up before the Roberts court.
But the fact that the constitutionality of the health care reform law is already working its way through the nation’s courts should allow Derek Schmidt, who said last week that he would file a lawsuit against the government if elected Kansas attorney general, to turn his attention to Kansas law enforcement issues.
How, for instance, should Kansas tackle its crowded prisons problem? We have too many convicts and not enough prison beds, Sen. Schmidt. Should we let prisoners out earlier? Change the sentencing grid to provide for shorter terms? Or raise taxes a bunch so that new prisons can be built?
Now those are Kansas issues with meat on their bones, Senator, and it is a state office you are seeking.
— Emerson Lynn, jr.
