Attorney General Rob McKenna says he's disappointed the Supreme Court has upheld the mandate in the federal health care law.

He told KOMO Radio it's ironic it was upheld as a tax, since he says President Obama stressed it was not a tax.

McKenna says he's relieved the decision does not expand federal authority under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, and it doesn't force states to spend their own money to expand Medicaid.

The Republican candidate for governor joined other GOP attorneys general in the lawsuit over the objections of Gov. Chris Gregoire.

If elected, McKenna says he's ready to implement the health insurance exchange, which he says allows working and low-income people to own an insurance policy.