Today, Florida House Joint Resolution 37—a constitutional amendment protecting a patient's right to pay directly for medical care, and prohibiting penalties for failing to purchase health insurance—passed the critical Rules & Calendar Council and is now slated for consideration by the full Florida House. The legislation is modeled after the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act now introduced or announced in 42 states.
"ALEC applauds the Rules & Calendar Council's action to advance the cause of health care freedom in Florida," said ALEC health task force director Christie Herrera, who is coordinating the nationwide effort. "We congratulate Representatives Scott Plakon, Bill Galvano, Adam Hasner, and Sandy Adams for taking the first step in stopping an unconstitutional federal mandate at the state line," she added.
ALEC's Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act has already been enacted statutorily by the Virginia, Idaho, and Arizona legislatures, and constitutional amendments in Oklahoma and Arizona will appear before voters on the November ballot. The legislation has also passed one chamber in Georgia, Missouri, and Tennessee.
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