Opt-out bill clears Senate
Scott Beason found victory this week in the Alabama Senate.
During a six-hour debate, Sen. Beason, R-17th, fought for and won passage of a bill that would allow Alabamians to opt out of the federal health care law Congress passed in March.
The Senate passed the bill, 23-8. Twelve Republicans and 11 Democrats voted yes and eight Democrats voted no.
Beason, who lives in Gardendale, sponsored Senate Bill 233, which says in effect that no individuals, employers or doctors can be forced to be part of any health care program.
Beason said last week a similar bill is being proposed in at least 38 states.
Beason is disturbed by the federal health care law because “they can force you into a government insurance program,” he said. “If you decided not to be in it, it’s a tax liability with fines and penalties.”
The federal law requires every American to be insured by 2014 or be penalized by paying higher taxes.
Premiums would be subsidized for lower- and middle-income people.
Those who qualify would receive Medicaid coverage – up to 400,000 more people than now use Medicaid, according to published reports.
The eight senators who opposed the bill said federal law would override state law and that the federal health care bill will benefit Americans by ensuring everyone has access to medical care, according to published reports.
The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives.
If it passes, the bill would also rewrite the Alabama Constitution to say, “The purchase or sale of health insurance in private health care systems shall not be prohibited by law or rule.”
One state representative, Allen Treadaway of Morris, R-51st, has voiced opposition to the national health care bill.
He said recently that with the ongoing economic recession, passing the health care bill was unwise because it will place a greater burden on ordinary Americans.
“Logical, reasonable people would think we have to make adjustments at this time,” he said. “At some point we’re going to get so far in this thing it’s going to be very hard to come back on it.”
If the House passes the bill, Alabama voters will get their say at the polls on July 31.
The Senate approved an amendment proposed by Sen. Zeb Little, D-4th, of Cullman, to hold the referendum on July 31 rather waiting until the Nov. 2 general election.