Did You Know...

You might call it a clear mandate for change.

Today, another six states joined the legal battle to overturn the federal Obamacare mandate — pushing the total number to 26*. (*Heritage says 27.)

That’s more than half the country seeking a permanent escape hatch.

Waiver-mania!

Via AP:

Six more states joined a lawsuit in Florida against President Obama’s health care overhaul on Tuesday, meaning more than half of the country is challenging the law.

The announcement was made as House members in Washington, led by Republicans, debated whether to repeal the law.

The six additional states, all with Republican attorneys general, joined Florida and 19 others in the legal action, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

“It sends a strong message that more than half of the states consider the health care law unconstitutional and are willing to fight it in court,” she said in a statement.

The states claim the health care law is unconstitutional and violates people’s rights by forcing them to buy health insurance by 2014 or face penalties.

Meanwhile, the Obama administration is appealing its loss in Virginia.

And I’m glad to see at least one Republican refusing to “tone it down.”

Here’s GOP Rep. Louis Gohmert blasting HHS waiver favoritism:

Gohmert, who brought a copy of the health care law with him to the event, made some jabs, accusing the administration of “crony capitalism” through the granting of health care waivers.

“If you’re a friend of the administration, you get a waiver, and it will cut your costs dramatically,” Gohmert said. “If you’re not a friend, you don’t get the waiver. You won’t compete with the friends of Obama. You’ll go out of business. Government shouldn’t have that kind of power. … Crony capitalism has got to stop.”