Virginia’s House of Delegates has given preliminary approval to a bill that would block any forthcoming federal mandate for individuals to purchase private health insurance.

Robert G. Marshall

Del. Robert G. Marshall’s Virginia Health Care Freedom Act (HB10) was approved by lawmakers Feb. 10, following the recent approval of the state Senate of three similar bills blocking any orders by the federal government as part of comprehensive health care reform.

The bill sponsored by Marshall (R-13^th District) would also block the federal government from imposing a fine or other penalty against an individual who fails to secure coverage.

He recently told IFAwebnews.com that such mandates make Congress akin to “mobsters” offering protection to the American people.

During the House session, Marshall quoted from the Federalist Papers, according to The Virginian-Pilot, and urged his colleagues to protect state residents from the “usurpers” in Washington, D.C.

Virginia is one of several states that has passed or is weighing state legislation to block any federal mandates as part of health care reform proposed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama.