Constitutional amendment; health care freedom (first reference). (HJ7)

Introduced By

Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) with support from co-patrons Del. Rich Anderson (R-Woodbridge), Del. Clay Athey (R-Front Royal), Del. Todd Gilbert (R-Woodstock), and Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Woodbridge)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate

Description

Constitutional amendment (first resolution); health care freedom.  Protects an individual's right and power to participate or to decline to participate in a health care system or plan. The amendment prohibits any law that will infringe on an individual's right to pay for lawful medical services. The amendment further prohibits the adoption of any law that imposes a penalty, tax, or fine upon an individual who declines to enter into a contract for health care coverage or to participate in a health care system or plan. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
12/07/2009Committee
12/07/2009Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/10 10100852D
12/07/2009Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
02/16/2010Left in Privileges and Elections

Comments

James writes:

HOW in the .... can legislators FORCE me to buy something just for existing AND If I dont they will fine me and put me in JAIL???? Im sorry but I thought America was land of free men. This is how the mafia works. Pay up for protection or we'll break your legs.

Carol Lindstrom writes:

The problem with people not having health insurance is that when something does happen, and they don't have insurance, unless they happen to be very well off financially, it ends up being a burden on the taxpayers and on those who do pay for insurance. I don't think that everyone should be required to have a lot of fancy frills on insurance, just the basics. Just enough to keep people from ending up losing everything they own and from taking from the pockets of others. Doctor's in offices have the luxury of refusing to see people without insurance or demanding money up front. Our emergency rooms do not have that luxury and the costs is picked up by increased premiums (one of the reasons why premiums are going up when the number of people without insurance is also going up) and increased tax money used to subsidize those emergency room visits for a cold or flu. Any tax or fees should go into a special fund to pay for those types of expenses created by those who do not choose to have insurance.