AG-elect sees quick jump into health lawsuit

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas Attorney General-elect Derek Schmidt

expects to bring the state into a legal challenge to the new

federal health care law soon after taking office.

Schmidt tells The Associated Press he believes many voters are

concerned that the federal government is assuming too much power.

Schmidt, a Republican, takes office Jan. 10. He defeated

Democratic Attorney General Steve Six, who said joining litigation

over the health care law wouldn’t be a wise use of state resources.

Schmidt said Tuesday his most likely course is trying to

intervene in a lawsuit pending in Florida involving 20 other

states. But he said he hasn’t made any final decisions.