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Posted on 12/22/2009 6:38:39 PM PST by TornadoAlley3
OKLAHOMA CITY - The voters of Oklahoma will have the opportunity to preserve the existing health care system in Oklahoma under legislation sought by three state legislators.
State Reps. Mike Ritze and Mike Reynolds and state Sen. Randy Brogdon announced today that they will file legislation enacting the "Freedom of Healthcare Choice Act," allowing voters to preserve the existing healthcare system in Oklahoma regardless of congressional action at the federal level.
The legislation will allow a vote of the people to opt out of the proposed federal system.
"It's clear the overwhelming majority of Americans want the current doctor-patient relationship preserved instead of having Washington bureaucrats dictate medical decisions," said Ritze, a Broken Arrow Republican who is also a board-certified family practice physician and surgeon. "The proposals under consideration in Congress are likely to result in reduced access to a family doctor, rationing of services, or even outright denial of care if a pencil-pusher decides it is not a 'best practice.' My legislation would give the voters the ability to protect and preserve their existing health care coverage."
"The United States' health care system is the envy of the world and the people of Oklahoma should have the opportunity to maintain the top-notch care they have received while also avoiding the onerous burdens the proposed federal law would impose on working families," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City.
"The proposed legislation in Washington is a massive overstepping of the bounds placed on Congress by our U.S. Constitution," said Brogdon, R-Owasso. "It is time that we the people tell Congress enough is enough - and now Oklahomans will have the opportunity to do so."
Modeled on an Arizona proposal, Ritze and Reynolds' legislation would place language on the ballot to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to declare what types of health care systems could lawfully exist in the state.
The proposed constitutional amendment would
Prohibit any law or rule from directly or indirectly compelling any person or employer to participate in any health care system; Allow any person or employer to pay directly for lawful health care services without paying any penalties or fines; Permit a health care provider to provide directly purchased lawful health services without paying any penalties or fines; and Stipulate that subject to reasonable and necessary rules that do not substantially limit a person's options, the purchase or sale of private health insurance will not be prohibited. The amendment would not change what health care services a provider is required to perform or what health care services are permitted by law.
"This is an issue that could have serious consequences for all citizens and it is only right to allow voters a direct role in the outcome of this debate," Ritze said.
"I was not surprised that the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate kept the specific language of their bill from the public and most of their members," Reynolds said. "In comparison, the language of our "Freedom of Healthcare Choice Act" will be fully disclosed as soon as it is filed, probably later this afternoon. We welcome any discussion."
Well just the fact that so many are becoming aware of the Tyranny in Washington is really good news. The totalitarians are beginning to affect the lives of more citizens in direct and diabolical ways. People are actually thinking of rebellion, secession, constitutionality etc. I predict the election next year will bring carnage and havoc on the Democrats. They are finally being exposed as Communist control freaks and it is not playing in Peoria. People no longer dismiss Ron Paul and others as Kooks. It takes time to undo 50 years of creeping Communism.
Yes, the people are waking up. Formerly apolitical friends of mine are starting to recognize what is happening.
Regarding this thread, no piece of parchment can preserve our rights. It was up to us to do so and we are very near failure.
Next year may be a blowout victory for conservatives. There may be time to save our once great republic.
I want to know what is constitutional about telling a private insurance company what % of premium is “allowed” to be spent on administrative cost. They will allow 15% of collected premium. 85% must be paid in claims. If claims are unknown how can a company figure this out? This is absurd and ridiculous.
I think it will be complete utter destruction for the Crats.
The only reason Texas doesn’t float away into the gulf is because Oklahoma sucks.
Maybe we can get our legistlature to follow suit.
I’m in OK today and tryin my durndest to drive south and get out.
I think I can see the Red from here.
All 50 states need to do this. The government should be prohibited from using taxpayer dollars to do anything the taxpayers do NOT want.
I’m a born-and-raised Texan, but if Oklahoma continues to display this level of guts and courage in their politicians, I may soon be moving north.
None of it is Constitutional.
The problem is that our form of self governance is suited only for a virtuous people. As Ben Franklin feared, we devolved over time into a debauched people suited only for despotic government.
We could do this in Tennessee if we mounted a campaign to ask Ron Ramsey to do it
Maybe there is a chance to stage a comeback. I hope so. If the Communist/Democrats can be defeated and replaced.
Just leave your Longhorns stuff in the River. But not in favor of Sooner stuff, we have too many of those losers already.
This is why almost every piece of legislate introduced into Congress opens with language stating is is implemented under the Interstate Commerce Clause, not the Supremacy Clause.
The ultimate Constitutionality is not does Congress have the authority to do something, but does that something constitute interstate commerce. Unfortunately, the SCOTUS has a history of deferring towards Congress.
The real Constitutionality test for ObamaCare will be if Congress has the right to demand an individual purchase something or otherwise have a tax levied.
There will likely be multiple 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause challenges to ObamaCare.
Texas has sure been taking a back seat to Oklahoma lately.
We need to light a fire under our State Reps.
I predict we will see more of this. There are people in Missouri pushing for a ballot measure like this as well.
However, doesn’t federal law trump state constitutions? How can Oklahoma get away with doing this? There will be a lot of lawsuits.
Oklahoma
B U M P
Rather a depressing reply in that I can’t poke holes in it.
You make a strong argument that I’m not qualified to challenge. I don’t see a reasonable objection to be made.
And so it goes, the federal government able to enslave us at will.
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