In an effort to blunt the impact of the sweeping healthcare reform passed by Congress and signed by President Obama late last month, the Florida legislature has passed an act that aims to protect the state’s healthcare system from interference.
Florida’s Healthcare Freedom Act (HJR 37/SJR 72), sponsored by Florida Representative Scott Plakon and Florida Senator Carey Baker, passed the House and Senate and will appear on the November ballot.
The legislation, which was inspired by the American Legislative Exchange Council’s Freedom of Choice in Healthcare Act, blocks a state or federal requirement for individuals to purchase health insurance.
“Protecting the individual freedom for people to make their own healthcare decisions is a priority,” said ALEC health task force director Christie Herrera.
She added that “the amount of support from state legislators and policy makers for this legislation has been tremendous.”
ALEC’s Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has now been introduced or proposed in 42 states.
Meanwhile, Mississippi Representatives Alex Monsour and Steven Palazzo received preliminary approval to place their Healthcare Freedom Act on the 2011 or 2012 ballot.
Political Vel Craft 