Health Care Freedom for Alaska
07. Oct, 2009 Written by:
Michael Boldin 
7 Comments
A Press Release from State Rep. Mike Kelly
Representative Mike Kelly announced plans to introduce a resolution that provides for placing an amendment to Alaska’s Constitution before voters during the next general election making explicit the individual right to health care free choice. The resolution and attendant constitutional amendment would prohibit passage of laws that compel any person or employer to participate in a particular health care system. The proposed constitutional change will also permit the purchase of private insurance and allow Alaskans to pay their own health care provider directly.
“Changes to our health care system need to be made, but not by federal fiat and the use of czars to limit choice and ration health care,” Kelly said. “Attempts at encroachment on individual and States’ Rights by the Federal Government have hit overdrive under this congress and Administration. Land control issues, Second Amendment gun rights, unfunded mandates, socializing health care, forced bail-outs, earmark stimulus schemes and more government debt than has ever been incurred. The federal government seems bent on obliterating our 10th Amendment rights to govern our state. Health care freedoms are one of many Inalienable Rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence and the Inherent Rights in Article 1, Section 1 of The Alaska Constitution. Alaskans cannot enjoy the rights to ‘Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness’ unless they include health care freedom.”
Arizona was the first state to pass a Health Care Freedoms resolution. The proposed amendment will appear before registered Arizona voters on the November 2010 ballot. Similar measures have been introduced in Ohio and West Virginia and 13 other states have resolutions pending introduction.
“Without this resolution we could be at the mercy of a distant and unaccountable federal agency,” Kelly said. “We’ve attracted several co-prime sponsors for the legislation. I expect the 2/3 vote to be tough, but achievable.”
Michael Boldin is the founder of the Tenth Amendment Center. He was raised in Milwaukee, WI, and currently resides in Los Angeles, CA.
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I truly believe that we in Alaska have a good chance of passing this IF it makes it through the labyrinth of the House/Senate. That is a big if. I believe federal imposition of national health care is blatantly unconstitutional. I also believe that just about everyone and everything is bought off, to a greater of lesser extent, by federal funds. So we tolerate the unconstitutional power because they hold the money.
Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and the myriad federal agencies with regulatory control mandates may provided the courts with enough “precedent” to dismiss any court challenge. What can we do?
Stan – we need to learn to do what Andrew Jackson did. In essence he said – I’ve got my opinion and the courts have theirs. Now let ‘em come and enforce it!
I agree with you; however, can we stick it out? As I said, the federal government (whom I work for – but at least for DOD, something enumerated by the constitution to the National Government) will hold federal funds over the state like the Sword of Damocles. My bet is they would fold. Alaska is the Hong Kong of America – a veritable Crown Colony.
You probably know that the state recently passed a 10th Amendment resolution telling the feds to back off. Governor Palin, of happy memory, signed the bill. It is, of course, non-binding but it’s something. That makes seven states.
I very much appreciate this article and the website. It astounds me that the 10th Amendment is as valid as the 1st or 2nd but it is essentially ignored. I think it’s the money. We all seem to be bought off cheap. Sad…the American Experiment is on the verge of failing.
Alaska has a recall mechanism for congressmen. I feel we should initiate a recall of sen. begich immediately for his vote on the healthcare bill. votes have consequences, a fact mr begich is unaware of.
Alaska has a recall mechanism for congressmen. We should initiate a recall immediately of sen. begich, it takes, i think, 25% of the voters who voted in the last election to request a new election. Begich was elected by a close margin in a dirty election which saw Sen. Stevens slandered in a bogus trial. We could sure benefit by getting that senate seat back. No more 60-vote margin.