Oregon Public Broadcasting

Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna says his office is prepared to argue both sides of the health care reform legal fight.

McKenna, a Republican, has joined a multi-state lawsuit to overturn key provisions of the new federal health care law. But his office also represents Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire, who plans to oppose the lawsuit.

McKenna said Gregoire will have her voice heard in court. “She has an attorney too, the general counsel, who happens to be the former solicitor general of the state who's extremely capable. But it's not a problem to have her point of view represented. I understand that as a policy-maker she wants to clearly distinguish her position from the position I'm taking on the law in this case and we can accommodate that," he said.

The multi-state lawsuit specifically challenges the requirement that everyone buy health insurance. McKenna argues that's unconstitutional. Gregoire, a former attorney general, disagrees.

Meanwhile, majority Democrats in the legislature are threatening to block McKenna from spending taxpayer dollars on the lawsuit.