Civitas Review Online

Federal health care legislation may be stunted, but states are not taking any chances.  More and more states are proposing legislation set to counter any government imposed health insurance mandate on individuals or businesses.  Less than a month ago 25 states had drafted some form of counter health care legislation.  North Carolina’s version: the Health Care Protection Act (HCPA).

Today the Associated Press reports over two-thirds of the states have drafted some form of legislation to protect their citizens from federally imposed mandates.

It remains uncertain whether state legislation would have the force to trump federal law.  More importantly, however, is the fact more and more states are taking action against the attack on individual and states’ rights – and realizing reform doesn’t have to come at the expense of liberty.

Over half of the Nation’s states are standing up to health insurance mandates by introducing state legislation protecting individual rights.

Both the House and Senate health reform bills contain health insurance mandates that will force every American to purchase health insurance that meets the standards set in place by the government.

Those who choose to opt out will have to pay hundreds of dollars in penalties and fees, millions will remain uninsured, and the added cost burden to the states will be unprecedented.  Furthermore and contrary to popular belief, mandates will in no way reduce the cost of health care.  Massachusetts, a precursor state in implementing health insurance mandates, has seen health care costs go up by 42 percent, while nearly a quarter of its residents remain uninsured.

Check out my latest article on this important issue.