Florida Senate presidents seldom sponsor legislation. This session, Senate President Mike Haridopolis not only sponsored The Florida Freedom Health Care Act, he delivered it early as promised- on the second day of this years legislative session.

The Health Care Freedom Act when passed by the Florida House will be placed on the ballot in November of 2012. If approved by 60% of the voters this will become an amendment to Florida’s constitution.

The Health Care Freedom Act states A law or rule may not compel, directly or indirectly, any person or employer to purchase, obtain, or otherwise provide for health care coverage.”  Read the entire text at: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/0002/BillText/c1/HTML

This legislation is not as comprehensive as Tenth Amendment Center’s Federal Health Care Nullification Act but it does make a sovereignty statement to the degree that it denies any national health care plan (or a future State plan) the ability to be imposed upon Floridians against their will. It also leaves the door open for those who want to willingly join any health care plan others choose not to join.  In essence, this bill provides an “opt-out” option in favor of individual freedom of choice.  There is no provision for protecting citizens against general government enforcement by the IRS or any designated enforcement agency should national healthcare be ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. Will that task fall to the Attorney General when and if that time comes? This remains to be seen.

Overall, The Health Care Freedom Act is a step in the right direction for state sovereignty. Kudos to Senator Haridopolis for delivering as promised.  Now it is up to the House to get to work getting their version passed.  The sooner this is done the more time there will be to educate the public on the benefits of voting for LIBERTY.

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CLICK HERE to view the Tenth Amendment Center’s Health Care Freedom Act legislative tracking page

The Tenth Amendment Center has released the Federal Health Care Nullification Act, which directly nullifies the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” on a state level. Click here to learn more about the bill. CLICK HERE to track the Nullification Act in states around the country.

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Senator Mike Haridopolos, District 26 — Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 9, 2011

Florida Senate Passes Health Care Freedom Act
First bill passed by Senate in 2011 session allows Floridians to make health care decisions

TALLAHASSEE — Faced with the prospect of the federal government making health care decisions for every American, the Florida Senate today passed a proposed constitutional amendment that would give every Floridian the right to make their own decisions about their health care. SJR 2 is the first bill passed by the Florida Senate in the 2011 legislation session, which began Tuesday.

The proposed amendment is sponsored by Senate President Mike Haridopolos (R-Merritt Island) and co-sponsored by every member of the Senate Republican Caucus.

“This proposed constitutional amendment is about an individual’s right to make his own health care decisions without interference from the federal government,” said Senate President Haridopolos. “It also sends a message to Washington D.C. that its one-size-fits-all approach to health care doesn’t work. I’m thankfully for the support of my Republican colleagues on this constitutional amendment. We believe in patient-centered, not government-centered health care. After approval from the House of Representatives, Floridians will have the opportunity to decide for themselves at the ballot box.”

The proposed constitutional amendment allows Floridians to opt-out of the federal mandate requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance and instead focuses on the relationship between the patient and their health care provider.

Once approved by the Florida House, the proposed amendment will be placed on the ballot in 2012 and must pass with 60% othe vote to be adopted into the state constitution.

andrew nappi

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