Media Division
December 21, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. Mike Ritze
Capitol: (405) 557-7338
Lawmakers File "Freedom of Healthcare Choice Act"
OKLAHOMA CITY - The voters of Oklahoma will have the opportunity to preserve
the existing health care system in Oklahoma under legislation sought by
three state legislators.
State Reps. Mike Ritze and Mike Reynolds and state Sen. Randy Brogdon
announced today that they will file legislation enacting the "Freedom of
Healthcare Choice Act," allowing voters to preserve the existing healthcare
system in Oklahoma regardless of congressional action at the federal level.
The legislation will allow a vote of the people to opt out of the proposed
federal system.
"It's clear the overwhelming majority of Americans want the current
doctor-patient relationship preserved instead of having Washington
bureaucrats dictate medical decisions," said Ritze, a Broken Arrow
Republican who is also a board-certified family practice physician and
surgeon. "The proposals under consideration in Congress are likely to result
in reduced access to a family doctor, rationing of services, or even
outright denial of care if a pencil-pusher decides it is not a 'best
practice.' My legislation would give the voters the ability to protect and
preserve their existing health care coverage."
"The United States' health care system is the envy of the world and the
people of Oklahoma should have the opportunity to maintain the top-notch
care they have received while also avoiding the onerous burdens the proposed
federal law would impose on working families," said Reynolds, R-Oklahoma
City.
"The proposed legislation in Washington is a massive overstepping of the
bounds placed on Congress by our U.S. Constitution," said Brogdon, R-Owasso.
"It is time that we the people tell Congress enough is enough - and now
Oklahomans will have the opportunity to do so."
Modeled on an Arizona proposal, Ritze and Reynolds' legislation would place
language on the ballot to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to declare what
types of health care systems could lawfully exist in the state.
The proposed constitutional amendment would:
* Prohibit any law or rule from directly or indirectly compelling any person
or employer to participate in any health care system;
* Allow any person or employer to pay directly for lawful health care
services without paying any penalties or fines;
* Permit a health care provider to provide directly purchased lawful health
services without paying any penalties or fines; and
* Stipulate that subject to reasonable and necessary rules that do not
substantially limit a person's options, the purchase or sale of private
health insurance will not be prohibited.
The amendment would not change what health care services a provider is
required to perform or what health care services are permitted by law.
"This is an issue that could have serious consequences for all citizens and
it is only right to allow voters a direct role in the outcome of this
debate," Ritze said.
"I was not surprised that the Democrat-controlled U.S. Senate kept the
specific language of their bill from the public and most of their members,"
Reynolds said. "In comparison, the language of our "Freedom of Healthcare
Choice Act" will be fully disclosed as soon as it is filed, probably later
this afternoon. We welcome any discussion."
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