Texas Will Challenge Health Care Law

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ Attorney General Greg Abbott says Texas will join other states in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of new federal health care legislation.

Abbott says the challenge will be pursued as soon as President Barack Obama signs the bill.

Abott says the goal is to protect the constitutional rights of all Texans and defend the state from what he calls “further infringement by the federal government.”

Most Americans would have to buy insurance or face penalties. There would be subsidies to help families with incomes of up to $88,000 a year pay their premiums.

Prominent Texas Republicans, including Abbott and Gov. Rick Perry, have been outspoken against the Democratic-backed health care measure.

No Republican joined House Democrats in voting for the bill. One Texas Democratic congressman — Chet Edwards of Waco — voted against it.

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