Stevenson Lauds Effort to Block Federal Health Care Takeover in PA
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Rep. Dick Stevenson joined an effort in Harrisburg on Wednesday to support legislation that would prevent the Commonwealth's citizens from mandates set forth by any federal health care takeover. House Bill 2053 seeks to protect and preserve Pennsylvanians' rights to choose their own health care and allow their own doctors to help them make their personal medical decisions. Rep. Matt Baker (R-Bradford/Tioga), sponsor of the legislation, is pictured at the podium.
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In working to protect Pennsylvanians’ rights to make their own health care decisions, Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer/Butler) today joined numerous lawmakers in supporting legislation that would prevent the Commonwealth’s citizens from mandates set forth by any federal health care takeover.
The Pennsylvania Health Care Freedom Act in House Bill 2053 seeks to protect and preserve Pennsylvanians’ rights to choose their own health care and allow their own doctors to help them make their personal medical decisions.
“The federal health care legislation that is developing in Washington, D.C., is resulting in a lot of frustration and confusion for many Pennsylvanians,” said Stevenson. “People want to know that they will be able to see the physicians they’ve seen for years and be able to make personal, health care decisions without federal bureaucrats interfering. Our legislation will allow us to opt out of the federal mandates and provide some reassurance to our residents.”
The primary goal of the Health Care Freedom Act is to prevent the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from enacting an individual or employer mandate, or prohibiting patients from paying directly for medical services. Similarly, House Bill 2053 will protect an individual’s right to pay directly for medical services, and it would prohibit individuals and families from being penalized for not purchasing bureaucrat-approved health insurance.
That protection is necessary as single-payer systems, such as in Canada, make it illegal for citizens to go outside of the government’s health care plan and contract for their own medical services.
The Health Care Freedom Act would not attempt to block implementation of any federal law as long as the federal law does not require an individual/employer mandate, or forbid patients from paying directly for medical services. The Health Care Freedom Act also does not preclude citizens from voluntarily joining the proposed federal “public plan” or “national health insurance exchange.”
Stevenson also noted that it is important for people to have health insurance coverage and he and his colleagues are addressing the need to cover the small percentage of uninsured in Pennsylvania through tax credits and other measures to bring down the skyrocketing cost of health care. However, a government requirement to purchase health insurance is ineffective, bureaucratic, costly and arguably an unconstitutional infringement upon states’ rights. The Health Care Freedom Act would strike at the heart of individual and employer mandates that do not work.
Citizens should have the right to pay directly for health care services with their own money. When government controls the dollars, they make treatment decisions based on what is best for government, not what is best for the patient.
“America was founded on principles of personal freedom, and a health care takeover of the magnitude and scope that is occurring right now in Washington takes away those liberties,” Stevenson said. “I believe our legislation will make the important difference that individuals and families need to make their own health care decisions.”
The legislation is now with the House Insurance Committee for review. Nineteen other states have filed legislation and another 10 states intend to file legislation.
Rep. Dick Stevenson
8th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(724) 458-4911
(717) 783-6438
Contact: Jennifer Algoe Keaton
jkeaton@pahousegop.com
(717) 705-2094
Member site: DickStevenson.com
Caucus site: PAHouseGOP.com