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."
Booooyah. Now that should leave a mark.
Good move. Now we need 49 more...
Excellent. That durned old Constitution! Drat!
The Tenth Amendment lives... only 50 states to go.
Woo hoo!! Way to go Oklahoma!!
56.
Beautiful!! Tell the fedzilla monstrosity to take a flying leap. Bravo!
Yeah!
I am going to push for Alabama to do the same. If all the good conservative states do this, all the welfare scam artists and illegals will move to the liberal states!!
I agree but those who opt-out (as I would) will still be taxed oppressively by the government to pay for those who don’t pay for themselves.
I applaud these gentlemen and hope they succeed along with many other states but we still must defeat this bill and defeat those who voted for it next November!
This is proposed and hopefully will continue to move forward and pass.
The healthcare issue along with the rise in states passing Firearms Freedom Acts, should give us a good solid foundation to run all this liberal, political bovine scatology up the food chain and bring a nice sold 10th Amendment case to the Supreme Court.
never thought i’d say it but.....i may have to move North to.....OKLAHOMA!!!!!
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
I know. You'll say that Obamacare is not pursuant to the Constitution. But under the Constitution, who gets to decide? The Congress will pass it. The president will sign it. So your last hope will be the SCOTUS, from which there is no appeal. I'd like to see how the court would fashion a decision that Social Security--retirement insurance we are forced to buy--and Medicare---health insurance we are forced to buy, are Constitutional, but this isn't. You think they're going to overturn Social Security and Medicare? Fat chance.
Therefore, I believe this act will be Constitutional, as decided by the powers granted in the Constitution to the three branches. The states can piss and moan all they want, but no law will stop it. It will take all out rebellion.
If that's the course they want to take, that's fine by me. The sooner we get out from under the Constitution, the better. But stuff like this is grandstanding.
We are truly a red state. When you have had enough of California, come join us here, we’d love to have y’all! God Bless America.
See post #10. Fred Thompson had it right. You can’t take water from one side of the bucket without affecting the other. As long as the fed gov’t can tax and tax and tax we will pay and pay and pay.
Conservative states need to do much more than this. It’s time for a balanced budget amendment to gain traction.
Oklahoma is OK *bump*
Bless them. Some real Americans still exist.
No, the 57th hasn’t actually passed it yet. LOL
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