Joining several states across the nation, Republicans in the Pennsylvania House held a rally Jan. 27 to introduce a pair of bills aimed at opposing possible federal health mandates.

Matt Baker

House Bill 2053, dubbed the Health Care Freedom Act, was introduced by Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Tioga) and would preserve individual rights to not take part in a government-run health care program, citing preservation of the patient-doctor relationship.

Whether a public option will be a part of a single piece of Congressional health reform legislation is still up for debate, but many think the endeavor will fail due to lack of support.

In a statement, Baker said that health insurance controlled by the government, “means that we will have less freedom to make the health care choices that are best for us and our families.

“My legislation will protect our right to pay directly for medical service and prohibit any individual from being penalized for not purchasing federally sanctioned health insurance,” said Baker, Republican chairman of the House Health and Human Service Committee.  “A government requirement to purchase health insurance is ineffective, costly and arguably an unconstitutional infringement upon states’ rights.”

Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester County) also introduced House Bill 2179, a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state’s constitution protecting a citizen’s right to chose their own health care and purchase coverage from the company of their choosing.

The bill also rejects any law that would “penalize a person, employer or health care provider for declining to participate in a health care system.”
Schroder said his bill “recognizes the importance of health care” while also protecting Pennsylvania residents “from a massive government intrusion.

“By amending our state constitution, as proposed in House Bill 2179, we get the hand of the federal government out of our pockets and ensure the right of all Pennsylvanians to make their own health care decisions,” he said.

At the rally, Rep. Stan Saylor (R-York) said that state governments “have a deep understanding of the health care problems their residents face.

“Any health care legislation coming from the federal government should recognize that states can craft innovative, effective solutions to their own health care problems without intervention from Washington,” he said.

Both bills are before the House Insurance Committee and are part of the House Republican Policy Committee’s Health Care Task Force.