MO SB156

The Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration and all other state departments, agencies, and instrumentalities are prohibited from applying for, accepting, or expending federal grants or moneys for implementing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act unless authorized by statute or appropriations bill.

State taxpayers and members of the general assembly have standing to sue the state or any state official, department, division, or agency for violations of this prohibition.

Courts must award attorney's fees, court costs, and all reasonable expenses to prevailing plaintayers or legislators, with such awards paid from the violating agency's appropriated funds.

Awards for attorney's fees, court costs, or reasonable expenses cannot be paid from the legal defense fund, and state agencies cannot request additional appropriations to cover awarded amounts.

"Federal health care act" is defined as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-152), and any amendments, regulations, or guidance issued thereunder.