Lawmakers Consider Bill to Opt Out of Nationalized Health Care

By Dave Jordan, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The President and his fellow Democrats are pressing to pass healthcare reform. In Oklahoma, the legislature is working on its own measures that would allow Oklahoma to opt out of the nationalized health care without fear of penalties or cutbacks to Medicaid.

Two states have already signed legislation into law that blocks their participation in any national health care effort and Oklahoma could soon join them. State lawmakers have written four bills to that effect and one of them overwhelmingly passed the House.

This bill could be the first step toward Oklahomans opting out of any national health care measure. Joint Resolution 1054 said its purpose is "to preserve the freedom of Oklahomans to provide for their health care" and "law or rule shall not compel any person, employers or health care provider to participate in any health care system." It appears to have the support of Oklahomans.

"I'm happy with my status and where I am right now and I'd like for things to stay the same," said Karen Hewitt, who is opposed to nationalized health care.

"I don't think it's a good idea at this point. We have too many problems with it from what I know of it," said Jay Anderson.

This measure passed the Oklahoma House and is now headed to the Senate for a vote, but senators have already taken matters into their own hands. Senator Clark Jolley has co-authored three pieces of legislation with similar language.

"It's a massive amount of government spending and they're so anxious to force it down our throats that they're going to have a vote on it without any time for people to digest what the bill is going to do," said Sen. Jolley.

Others states are making similar moves. Idaho and Virginia both passed resolutions allowing them to opt out of national health care and avoid penalties for doing so, proof Republicans say that Washington D.C. is out of touch with the majority of the country. But Oklahoma Democrats disagree.

"So many more people want this than don't and the Republicans are taking a stand on this because they want to win an election," said Karina Henderson with the Oklahoma Democratic Party.

The state attorney general said he is closely watching developments in Washington and if this bill contains any language that is detrimental to Oklahoma, he will consider legal action.