Continuing the Health Care Fight in Ohio; Support HB 489 & SB 244

Patriots,

We must not allow the hard work you have done in the fight against government run health care go to waste -- we must continue this fight, but now it needs to be at the state level. Our efforts must be channeled into areas where we can have a reasonable expectation of success. In the the same way we did in D.C., we now need to fill up the phones, faxes and emails in Columbus.

One of the avenues in which we can achieve this reasonable expectation of success comes from reconcentrating our efforts in supporting Senate Bill 244 sponsored by OH State Senator Shannon Jones & OH State Senator Tim Grendell. As introduced, SB 244 would prohibit requiring an individual to maintain a policy of health insurance in the State of Ohio.

Being introduced when the OH House goes back into session on 5/11/2010, OH Rep. Barbara Sears will be introducing OH House Bill 489 (HB 489) which would also prohibit requiring an individual to maintain a policy of health insurance in the State of Ohio and will be a companion bill to SB 244.

Here is the text of HB 489 as it will be introduced on 5/11/2010....

As Introduced

128th General Assembly
Regular Session 2009-2010

H. B. No. 489

Representatives Boose, Sears

Cosponsors: Representatives Adams, J., Adams, R., Amstutz, Bacon, Baker, Blair, Bubp, Burke, Coley, Combs, Derickson, Evans, Goodwin, Grossman, Hite, Hottinger, Huffman, Jordan, Lehner, Maag, Martin, McGregor, Mecklenborg, Morgan, Ruhl, Stautberg, Stebelton, Wachtmann

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A BILL

To enact section 3901.711 of the Revised Code to prohibit requiring an individual to obtain or maintain a policy of health insurance.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section 1. That section 3901.711 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec. 3901.711. (A)(1) No individual who is a resident of this state, regardless of whether the individual has or is eligible for health insurance coverage under any policy or program provided by or through the individual's employer, or a plan sponsored by this state or the federal government, shall be required to obtain or
maintain a policy of individual health insurance coverage.

(2) No provision of Chapter 1751. or Title XXXIX of the Revised Code shall render an individual who is a resident of this state liable for any penalty, assessment, fee, or fine as a result of the individual's failure to procure or obtain health insurance coverage.

(3) No public official, employee, or agent of this state or any political subdivision shall impose, collect, enforce, or effectuate any penalty as a result of the failure of an individual who is a resident of this state to procure or obtain health insurance coverage.

(B) The attorney general shall seek injunctive or any other appropriate relief as expeditiously as possible to preserve the rights and property of the residents of this state, and to defend as necessary this state, its officials, employees and agents in the event that any government, subdivision, or government agency enacts or adopts any law, rule, or regulation that violates division (A) of this section.

(C) This section shall not apply to individuals voluntarily applying for coverage under the medicaid program established under Chapter 5111. of the Revised Code or the children's health insurance program established under sections 5101.50 to 5101.529 of the Revised Code.

What to Do

To help set the stage prior to HB 489 being introduced, we are requesting everyone contact their OH House Rep and ask them to publicly declare their support for this bill. When you contact them please share your feelings on why you believe OH residents should not be forced into purchasing government mandated health insurance.

Contact OH House Speaker Armond Budish. Please inform Speaker Budish that as an OH resident you support this proposed legislation and ask that he do the same.

Speaker Armond Budish
77 S. High St 14th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6111
Phone: (614) 466-5441 Fax: (614) 719-0008
Email: district08@ohr.state.oh.us

Contact your OH House Rep and ask that they publicly declare their support for HB 489. To find your OH House member click here for their contact information.

If you have not yet done so, please consider signing the online petition supporting State Senator Shannon Jones. You can read & sign the on-line petition in support of SB 244 by clicking here.