BOGOTA, NJ – Americans for Prosperity, the state’s leading grassroots, free-market group, is calling on Gov. Chris Christie to reaffirm his stance against the federal health care takeover.

The governor is facing a deadline next week to accept or reject the latest health care exchange bill passed by the state Legislature. The governor vetoed a similar bill earlier this year–but that came before Tuesday’s election results and before the Supreme Court decision handed down in June. States must submit their plans to the federal government by Friday, November 16.

“The governor has tried to kick the can down the road on this issue but now we’re out of road,” said Steve Lonegan, AFP-New Jersey state director.

“Barack Obama has been re-elected. Congress will not be able to repeal the law so now the burden is on the states to thwart it. That means these bureaucratic and costly exchanges must be stopped, along with the tax increases that come along with them,” added Lonegan.

“Other conservative governors across the country like Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry, Scott Walker, and others have already taken a principled stand. Where is Governor Christie? Will he stand with them? Will he prevent New Jerseyans from having their health care choices controlled by federal bureaucrats? Will he allow our state’s struggling businesses to be hammered by ObamaCare’s tax penalties with unemployment hovering around 10%? Or will he continue to go along to get along with Barack Obama?”

“This issue isn’t just about policy. It’s about principle,” said Lonegan, “It’s time for Governor Christie to stop dithering and to lay his cards on the table.”

Americans for Prosperity is also waging a grassroots effort to stop the exchange bill. Citizens are being asked to call the governor’s office and to sign an online petition letter which urges him to “preserve and protect the health care freedom of every New Jersey citizen and do everything in [his] power to stop the government takeover of our health care.”  

Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens to support restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP is more than 2 million activists strong, with activists in all 50 states.  AFP has 34 state chapters and affiliates. More than 85,000 Americans in all 50 states have made a financial contribution to AFP or AFP Foundation. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org

Americans for Prosperity does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

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