AFP Urges Senators To Reconsider Health Care Bill

AFP-Maryland urges Sens. Klausmeier and Middleton to reconsider vote on health care bill

- Health Care Freedom Act could protect citizens from government mandate –

ANNAPOLIS – The Maryland chapter of Americans for Prosperity is urging state Sens. Kathy Klausmeier (D-Baltimore County) and Thomas “Mac” Middleton (D-Charles County) to reconsider their vote on SB397, the Health Care Freedom Act (HCFA). The Senate Finance Committee, which Middleton chairs, voted 6-5 to block the bill from reaching the Senate floor for debate. Two Democrats joined three Republicans in support of the bill. However, Klausmeier and Middleton stopped its passage by voting “NO”. The HCFA would give Marylanders protection from federal government mandates to purchase health insurance.

“According to their committee vote, Sens. Klausmeier and Middleton don’t believe in giving Maryland citizens a choice when it comes to their health care,” stated Maryland state director Dave Schwartz. “On the heels of a federal government takeover of our health care, this bill could give Marylanders protection from unwanted and unnecessary mandates. The committee should reconvene, and Klausmeier and Middleton should vote to allow this bill to be publicly debated on the Senate floor.”

The Health Care Freedom Act, modeled after bills that passed in both Virginia and Arizona, would be implemented as a constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot in November for voter approval. It was introduced and co-sponsored by Sens. E.J. Pipkin (R-Cecil), Nancy Jacobs (R-Harford), and Alex Mooney (R-Frederick) and received bi-partisan support in the Finance Committee.