House OKs Bill to 'Opt Out' of Federal Health Care

Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma House has approved a bill designed to prevent the new federal health care law from applying to Oklahomans.

The House voted 71-27 on Wednesday for the bill, which also authorizes the state to sue to keep it from taking effect.

The bill replaces an earlier version that would have placed the issue on the November ballot and amended the state constitution.

The bill provides that no resident of the state shall be required to have health insurance and that they cannot be fined for failing to do so. Exemptions are allowed if such coverage is required by the court.

House author Rep. Mike Ritze says the bill would stop "European-Canadian-style socialized medicine." Opponents derided the bill as a political stunt.

The bill now heads to the Senate.