Oklahoma Senate OKs Federal Health Care 'Opt Out'

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Senate has narrowly passed a bill designed to prevent the new federal health care law from applying to Oklahomans.

The Senate voted 25-17 on Tuesday for the bill, which also authorizes legislative leaders to hire an attorney to sue to keep it from taking effect. The bill, which needed 25 votes for passage in the 48-member Senate, now heads to the governor's desk.

The bill replaces an earlier version that would have sent a proposed amendment of the state constitution to a vote of the people.

The bill provides that no resident of the state shall be required to have health insurance and that they cannot be fined for failing to do so. Exemptions are allowed if such coverage is required by a judge.

4/28/2010 Related Story: Oklahoma House Approves Bill To 'Opt Out' Of Federal Health Care