Oklahoma's Tea Party Meeting with Lawmakers about Health Care

By Kirsten McIntyre, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Tea Party members are upset with the new health care law. But they're not giving up the fight just yet they're now putting the pressure on state lawmakers to take action.

Right now, there are two joint resolutions making their way through the House and Senate. House Joint Resolution 1054 and Senate Joint Resolution 59 would put a question on the ballot to allow Oklahomans to vote on whether they want to take part in the president's health care plan. Tea Party members are working to see that happen.

"This bill is the ‘safe net' for Oklahoma citizens to preserve their choice in health care by opting out of ObamaCare and avoiding the threat of federal penalties for both workers and employees," said Representative Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow.

Al Gerhart belongs to the Sooner Tea Party Movement and is active in making his voice heard.

"This is not about health care, this is about control," said Gerhart. "You've got the federal government wanting to seize one-sixth of our economy."

Gerhart and other Tea Party members are at the state Capitol encouraging lawmakers to pass joint resolutions which allow Oklahomans to vote on whether to opt out of the national health care plan.

Kim Scherer brought her children to the state Capitol to take part in the political process.

"They failed at Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, Veterans Administration and even the post office; they're all on the verge of bankruptcy and so why would they want to take on another government entity?" Scherer said.

Even Oklahoma's young population has an opinion.

"They just think if it benefits them, it's OK, but it can hurt as many people as it wants and they don't care," said 12-year-old Josh Scherer. "We have to have a say in it."

But as always, there are two sides to the debate. Some lawmakers think Oklahomans should be able to decide whether they want the federalized system.

"We're going to focus on how the federal law affects the state of Oklahoma and what can we do as a state to counteract it to protect our citizens and give them the freedom of choice to be able to buy health care how they choose," Senator Dan Newberry (R), Tulsa said.

Other lawmakers disagree.

"Well, it's not different than I have to have car insurance, I have to stop at a red light, I have to pay interest on things in America," said Senator Judy Eason McIntyre (D), Tulsa. "You pay. You're going to pay and that has been the law forever."

The House version passed the Senate today, and tomorrow the Senate version goes to the House for a vote.

If approved by lawmakers, voters could decide the issue by July 27.

Look for more on this story today at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. on NEWS 9.