News Release:
While EPA and Obamacare News Hits North Carolina, Roy Cooper Stays Silent
Raleigh, NC After the Obama administration issued overreaching EPA rules and regulations which could cause electricity costs to rise and hurt families across North Carolina, Governor McCrory announced he would sue the federal government to stop the rules. But Attorney General Roy Cooper, North Carolina's top lawyer who is supposed to defend the state,
didn't sign a letter last week from a bipartisan group of 16 state attorneys general to the EPA requesting a suspension of the new rules.
Last week, we also learned that Blue Cross and Blue Shield is requesting a 34.6% average Obamacare premium hike, starkly higher than the previously projected 25.7% rate increase. Yet North Carolina's most ardent Obamacare supporter has remained silent.
But as North Carolinians digest this news, it's leaving many asking: where's Roy?
Where is Roy Cooper on new EPA regulations?
Last week President Obama and the EPA released sweeping new climate change rules and regulations, which could cause electricity rates to rise. Governor McCrory immediately stood up for the people of North Carolina and announced he will sue President Obama and the EPA in court, but Attorney General Roy Cooper has remained silent.
Last week, 16 state Attorneys General also wrote to the EPA and requested a suspension of the rules while they are being challenged in court, including Kentucky's Democrat attorney general, Jack Conway. But notably absent from this letter was North Carolina's own attorney general, Roy Cooper.
As North Carolina's top lawyer charged with defending the state, why has he not joined Governor McCrory and other attorneys general and come out against these harmful rules and regulations that threaten to increase electricity costs in North Carolina?
Background:
Bipartisan group of attorneys general write to the EPA to put power plant rules on hold
"West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who is leading the charge against the rules, banded together with 15 other state attorneys general in a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Gina McCarthy requesting that the agency temporarily suspend the rules while they challenge their legality in court. The letter called for the EPA to respond by Friday." (Josh Lederman,
"16 states ask Obama admin to put power plant rules on hold," Associated Press, 8/5/2015)
"They were joined by Jack Conway of the coal-producing state of Kentucky. Conway and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear are both Democrats, but have joined the state's Republican leaders in denouncing Obama's power plant limits" (Josh Lederman,
"16 states ask Obama admin to put power plant rules on hold," Associated Press, 8/5/2015)
Where is Roy Cooper on 34% Obamacare rate increase?
As North Carolina's strongest Obamacare advocate, Roy Cooper has yet to say a word about the 34% rate increase expected to hit North Carolinians. In June, North Carolina's largest healthcare provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield, requested a 25.7% rate increase but is now seeking a much higher 34.6% average premium hike due to costs caused by Obamacare. The impact this rate jump will have on the pockets of North Carolinians is great. Attorney General Roy Cooper sided with President Obama and refused to sue the federal government over Obamacare, but has remained silent about the negative consequences the law he supports is now having on the state.
Background:
Cooper failed to challenge Obamacare
"Cooper has refused to join litigation by other states." (Jon Camp, "NC Republicans Challenge Health Care Reform," ABC11, 1/27/2011)
Blue Cross now seeking 34.6% rate hike in NC for ACA plans
"Blue Cross said 34.6 percent is an average, with a range of 5 percent to 42 percent. Some customers can expect to see above-average increases in next year's rates unless they switch to a plan with cheaper premiums, which will typically mean paying a larger deductible." (John Murawski,
"Blue Cross now seeking 34.6% rate hike in NC for ACA plans," Raleigh News & Observer, 8/6/2015)
"For example, a 40-year-old non-smoker living in Raleigh who has a Blue Value Silver plan with a $2,500 deductible pays about $315 a month today. With the adjusted proposed increase, this customer will pay about $418 for the same plan in 2016, an increase of 32.7 percent." (John Murawski,
"Blue Cross now seeking 34.6% rate hike in NC for ACA plans," Raleigh News & Observer, 8/6/2015)
Kara Carter
NCGOP Press Secretary
kara.carter@ncgop.org
.
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