Lt. Gov. Kinder to file lawsuit challenging health care law in Cape Girardeau

After raising funds and researching the federal legislation, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will file a lawsuit challenging the new health care law in Cape Girardeau today.

Kinder, other plaintiffs and his attorney, Washington D.C.-based Thor Hearne, will make a presentation at 9:15 a.m. on the front steps of the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse.

Kinder set up a not-for-profit organization, Healthcare in Action Inc. to collect donations, said spokesman Gary McElyea. The organization has collected from more than 100 donors, including Missourians and out-of-state contributors, he said. The donations will cover the legal expenses, he said.

In the spring, Kinder announced he would take legal action against the federal legislation. He later delayed the lawsuit to research the topic and raise funds.

"It's given us an opportunity to really focus it on how the bill affects Missourians," McElyea said.

McElyea said Kinder did not join more than a dozen states already challenging the law because he wanted to focus on how it will affect the state budget and insurance requirements already established in Missouri, among other state issues.

Pertinent address:

555 Independence St. Cape Girardeau, MO