As the U.S. Senate debates repeal of the national health care reform law today, the leaders in the states are also contemplating their next moves since a Florida judge rejected the entire reform law  because it unconstitutionally requires every America to buy health insurance.

Some led by Republicans say they will halt preparations for the law, while other conservatives have treaded more gently, according to the Washington Post. In addition to having accepted federal preparation grants that they could have to pay back, the governors also know that if they don’t move forward in creating exchanges where the uninsured can buy coverage, the federal government can do it for them.

But the states led by Democrats, such as Maryland, say they are moving ahead. Gov. Martin O’Malley issued a statement Monday that said: “Today's ruling is one step in a process that will resolve legal challenges to the Affordable Care Act. While the courts do their work, Maryland will continue to move forward with the act's successful implementation.

“This law is strengthening insurance for all Marylanders with coverage, will extend coverage to more than 350,000 Marylanders, and will save the state more than $800 million by 2020.”

The constitutionality of the law is likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court in the next couple of years. Read a Reuters story about the legal argument here.

The population appears split on the subject of the overall law. Many fear it’s too expensive to give so many more people coverage or, like two of four judges who have ruled so far, object to the individual mandate. But many of the individual items in the law are popular, such as free preventative care, additional drug coverage for seniors, coverage for young adults on their parents’ plans and a ban on lifetime benefits and consideration of preexisting conditions.

Meanwhile, the newly Republican led House already voted to repeal the law. The Senate may take a (most certainly unsuccessful) vote today on repeal.

So what do you think the local and federal leaders should do now?

Reuters photo