After having been reviewed multiple times since January 31st 2011, the Pennsylvania Senate passed Senate Bill 10 (SB10) by a vote of 29-19. The bill is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Pennsylvania which would prohibit any government from requiring the Pennsylvanians to buy health insurance. It states, in part –
“no law shall be enacted requiring a person to obtain or maintain health insurance coverage”
Pennsylvania Senate District 25’s Joseph B. Scarnati is the prime sponsor of the bill which still requires a vote by the General Assembly’s House of Representatives. Once fully passed by both houses, it can be placed on the ballot for a statewide referendum.
Already, ten states have passed similar bills, commonly referred to as the Health Care Freedom Act. With the current SCOTUS review of Obamacare, this action along with many others currently in process in other states, sends a clear message that Americans are not content with the Federal Government encroaching on their liberties.
The amendment, if approved by the people of Pennsylvania, would also prevent the federal government from imposing fines or penalties against people who don’t buy insurance — up to 2.5 percent of household income.
Debate on the measure in the Senate coincided with oral arguments in the U.S. Supreme Court on the constitutionality of the federal “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”, passed by Congress in March 2010. A ruling is not expected by the court until June.
To track health care freedom legislation across the U.S., click HERE.
If you don’t live in Pennsylvania and your state has not taken steps to block Obamacare, you can find model health care nullification legislation that you can propose to your state representative or senator HERE.
- Health Care Freedom of Choice Constitutional Amendment – It is Time Georgia - February 26, 2013
- Name Calling and “Tenther Nullification Nonsense” in Arizona - August 18, 2012
- Georgia Legislature, Governor Deal: Nullify Obamacare! - August 9, 2012