MADISON, Wis. (WSAU) – Wisconsin Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen took the first step Tuesday toward joining a national lawsuit challenging health care reform.

Van Hollen, who is a Republican, says the health care bill is unconstitutional because it mandates Americans to buy health insurance.

“Never before has the federal government required an individual to either buy government approved insurance or pay a penalty,” Van Hollen said in a statement. “And nowhere does the Constitution authorize Congress to regulate in this manner.”

Van Hollen also wants the law struck down because it would convert Medicaid into what he says is a federally-imposed universal health care regime.

Van Hollen is asking a judge to strike down the law and not require states to enforce it.

Iowa, Ohio, Kansas, Wyoming and Maine are also requesting to join the suit.