Joining others states across the nation, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates has filed legislation to rebuke a federal requirement that all individuals secure health insurance by 2014.

Don H. Dwyer Jr.

Del. Don H. Dwyer Jr. (R-Anne Arundel County) filed HB 1563, dubbed “Maryland’s Health Insurance Freedom Act.” The proposed legislation states that each Maryland resident has “the right to choose to participate” in private health insurance and has the right to pay for “lawful medical services” without interference and a penalty, tax, fee or fine.

Under federal health reform law, made official with President Barack Obama’s signature March 30 to a package of “fixes,” all individuals must secure health coverage by 2014, with exemptions for low-income Americans and those with religious objections. Failure to secure such coverage will result in an annual fine of the greater of $695 per person (up to a maximum of $2,085 per family) or 2.5% of household income.

Dwyer’s proposed bill mirrors those already signed into law in the states of Idaho and Virginia by their governors and similar legislation in a number of states, including Pennsylvania.

The Maryland bill was referred to the House Rules and Executive Nominations Committee for review after a suspension of rules for the late introduction of the bill. No hearing date has been announced.