Oklahoma Senate Passes Health Care Protection Bill

NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- In light of the Congressional passage of legislation overhauling the nation's health care system, state lawmakers voted Tuesday to allow Oklahoma voters to opt-out of the federalized system.

House Joint Resolution 1054, by Ritze (R-Oklahoma City), state Sen. Randy Brogdon (R-Owasso) and state Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City), would allow the voters to change the Oklahoma Constitution to include a "Freedom of Healthcare Choice Act."

Under the proposed amendment, no law or rule could compel any person, employer or health care provider to participate in any health care system. It would also prevent Oklahomans from being financially penalized if they choose not to purchase insurance mandated by the federal health care plan, and doctors would still be allowed to accept direct payment for services without fear of financial penalty.

"When voters approve this amendment, the Oklahoma Constitution will tell the federal government that they would like to pursue their own course when it comes to health care," Ritze said. "Though a national majority opposes the health care overhaul, here in Oklahoma opposition is even greater and there is no reason we can't do things our way."

With the Senate passage of the legislation, language will be placed on the ballot to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to declare what types of health care systems could lawfully exist in the state.

House Joint Resolution 1054 passed by a vote of 36-11.

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