While 34 other states have considered or partially passed legislation to ban any federal mandate to secure health insurance coverage, the Virginia General Assembly has passed a bill that is expected to get the signature of the state’s governor.

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.

As Congress debates a final comprehensive health care bill for the nation, one Virginia delegate is proposing that state residents, and possibly others nationwide, not be held to any coverage mandates.

The full Virginia Senate will now debate whether state residents will be held to possible federal mandates on health insurance after a series of bills passed the chamber’s commerce and labor committee.