Florida health care measure gains steam in the Senate
January 12, 2011
TALLAHASSEE, Florida: A bill that may allow voters to decide if the state of Florida should be allowed to opt out of the individual mandate in the federal health care law passed in 2010 is gaining steam in the state legislature.
On December 8, 2010 the Senate's Health Regulation Committee voted 9 to 2 in favor of the proposed bill. On January 11, 2011 the Judiciary Committee reiterated the sentiment with a 5 to 1 vote in support. The House version of the bill (HJR 1) has been referred to three committees: HHS Quality Subcommittee, State Affairs Committee and Health and Human Services Committee.[1][2][3]
The proposed Florida Healthcare Amendment was filed for the second time by State Rep. Scott Plakon for the 2012 ballot. In 2010, the legislature referred a similar measure to the 2010 statewide ballot. However, the measure was removed from the ballot by court order on July 29, 2010. Leon County Circuit Judge James Shelfer said the measure was misleading and could confuse voters.[4] On August 31 the Florida Supreme Court upheld previous lower court decisions to throw out Amendment 9.[5] The 2010 legislation was sponsored by Rep. Scott Plakon and Sen. Carey Baker.
In order to qualify for the 2012 ballot the proposed amendment is required to acquire approval by a minimum of 60% in the both the House and the Senate.
See also
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Florida Healthcare Freedom, Amendment 9 (2010)
Footnotes
- ↑ Sunshine State News, "Healthcare Opt-Out Amendment Bill Breezes Through Committee," January 12, 2011
- ↑ Florida Senate, "SJR 2 vote history," accessed January 12, 2011
- ↑ Florida Today, "State GOP adds fuel to universal health care fight," January 12, 2011
- ↑ Herald Tribune, "Health amendment tossed off ballot; state will appeal," July 30, 2010
- ↑ The Christian Science Monitor, "Florida voters can’t strip down Obama health-care bill, judge rules," August 31, 2010
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