Calls Needed For Health Care Freedom in Ohio!

Passing out of the Ohio House in October 2015, the Health Care Compact (HB 34) has a new life and making an end of session comeback to put Ohio back in charge of our own healthcare destiny.

The Health Care Compact legislation can be one of the most powerful and one of the most important bills that can pass this legislative session. The Health Care Compact would empowere member states with the legislative and fiscal freedom to make health care truly reflective of the health care needs of their state and not a costly one-size-fits-all federal health care program (Affordable Care Act) that has proven to be a failure.

The Ohio Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee is holding hearings on the Health Care Compact (HB 34) today and tomorrow. To read the text of HB 34, click here. To read the Legislative Services analysis of HB 34, click here.


Already passed in 9 states, in line with health care freedom Ohioans have been fighting for and looked at favorably by the incoming Trump Administration, more and more the Health Care Compact is becoming the clear solution to Obamacare....

Obamacare is dead.  Long live ... what?  That is unclear.  "Vice President-elect Mike Pence said Tuesday that repealing and replacing ObamaCare would be the first item on President-elect Donald Trump's agenda," according to Fox News.  Its successor will emerge from a series of discussions soon to take place.  "It’ll be the first thing out of the gate. ... He wants the Congress when they convene in early January to take up the task of repealing and replacing ObamaCare first."

One of the possible replacements could be the Health Care Compact if only because the list of those who supported H.J.Res.50 reads like a Who's Who in the incoming administration.

• Indiana (home to VP-elect Pence)


• Alabama (AG-nominee Sessions)


• Georgia (HHS nominee Price)


• Texas (endorsed by Sen. John Cornyn)


• Kansas (proposed and endorsed by Rep. Pompeo and Sec. of State Kris Kobach)


• Oklahoma (endorsed by Sen. James Lankford)

The program that Mother Jones once derided as "a longshot" and pipe-dream of a delusional Tea Party has now come within measurable distance of becoming a serious contender to replace Obamacare.

HHS nominee Tom Price's rhetoric suggests he would have no objections in principle to  taking Washington out of the picture. In a quote cited by the Wall Street Journal Price said:  “We think it’s important that Washington not be in charge of health care,” the six-term congressman said in an interview this summer. “The problem that I have with Obamacare is that its premise is that Washington knows best.”

Congressman Price supporting the Health Care Compact, which utilizes block grants for the states and is a state based solution, is consistent with the incoming strategy of Trump & Pence as noted below....

Trump and Pence reissued their calls to eliminate barriers to encourage competition between health insurers across state lines, make it easier for Americans to open health savings accounts and block grant Medicaid funds to the states

Please contact the below GOP members of the Senate Government Oversight &Reform Committee and respectfully request that they support the Health Care Compact (HB 34) and put Ohioans in charge of their own health care destiny.


Senate Government Oversight & Reform Committee
State Senator Bill Coley (R) Chair
PH: (614) 466-8072
Email: Click Here


State Senator Bill Seitz (R) Vice-Chair
PH: (614) 466-8068
Email: Click Here


State Senator Troy Balderson (R)
PH: (614) 466-8076
Email: Click Here


State Senator Dave Burke (R)
PH: (614) 466-8049
Email: Click Here


State Senator Kris Jordan (R)
PH: (614) 466-8086
Email: Click Here


State Senator Frank LaRose (R)
PH: (614) 466-4823
Email: Click Here


State Senator Larry Obhof (R)
PH: (614) 466-7505
Email: Click Here


State Senator Tom Patton (R)
PH: (614) 466-8056
Email: Click Here 


State Senator Bob Peterson (R)
PH: (614) 466-8156
Email: Click Here

Ohio Moves One Step Closer to Health Care Freedom: Health Care Compact

 

For Immediate Release 

Oct. 1, 2015

 

Contact: Diana Price

Clevelandteaparty@gmail.com

 

 

Ohio Moves One Step Closer

to True Health Care Freedom

Ohio - In passing the Health Care Compact ( HB 34) on Sept. 29, 2015,  the Ohio House took the initial steps to place the State of Ohio on a path to true health care freedom. In a 61-31 vote (7 not voting), the Ohio House set in motion the process of becoming a member state of the Health Care Compact.

 

The Health Care Compact would give member states the legislative and fiscal freedom to make health care truly reflective of the health care needs of their state and not a costly one-size-fits-all federal health care program (Affordable Care Act) that has proven to be a failure.

 

“For years, we have heard the complaints about the ACA. We have also seen attempt after attempt to repeal the ACA, but with no back-up plan. Ohio, along with several other states, has taken the lead to find a suitable replacement for the federal control of our healthcare system,” noted bill co-sponsor Rep. Wes Retherford (OH-51).

 

"By returning these dollars to the states, we can start working on state-by-state reforms that best serve our constituents. Ohioans are demanding actions, not just words, and today the Ohio House took that step,” Retherford said after the vote.

"Because it provides true health care freedom and allows Ohioans to break free from the freedom-sapping chains of Obamacare, the Health Care Compact is the only constitutional avenue for citizens to have a voice in their own health care decisions,” stated Tea Party Patriots State Coordinator Ralph King.

"Sponsors Rep. Wes Retherford (OH-51) & Rep. Terry Boose (OH-57), the many co-sponsors, Speaker Rosenberger, & all the Ohio House members voting in support of it should be applauded for using every constitutional means available to put what is best for Ohio first."

"Nine other states have already passed the Health Care Compact," King continued, “and we are looking forward to the Ohio Senate making Ohio the 10th state."

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Health Care Compact (HB 34) Passes Ohio House

Moving Ohio one step closer to finally achieving true health care freedom, the Ohio House passed the Health Care Compact (HB 34) earlier today.

From Rep. Wes Retherford & Rep Terry Boose -- 

For Immediate Release:

September 30, 2015

Ohio House Passes Health Care Compact

Legislation gives Ohio more freedom over its healthcare policies

COLUMBUS—During today’s session, the Ohio House of Representatives passed legislation that, with approval from Congress, would give Ohio more freedom and flexibility over its healthcare policies.

House Bill 34, sponsored by Rep. Retherford and Rep. Boose, ratifies the Health Care Compact., through which Ohio would enter a multi-state contract that would secure more rights to the states for healthcare policy decisions. The measure is a response to rising costs and deficits, as well as the increased federal overreach into health care. If signed into law by Governor Kasich and approved by the US Congress, the Compact allows Ohio to suspend the operation of all federal laws and regulations that are inconsistent with Ohio laws adopted through the Compact. Should Congress approve the Compact, however, it would still be up to the state legislature whether to change Ohio’s healthcare policy, as well as what those specific changes would be.

Under the legislation, Ohio would receive federal funding to support health coverage each fiscal year. The amount of funding would be determined based on the estimated level of federal funding used for health care, which would be updated periodically based on population and inflation.

“For years, we have heard the complaints about the ACA. We have also seen attempt after attempt to repeal the ACA, but with no back up plan. Ohio, along with several other states, have taken the lead on finding a suitable replacement to the Federal control of our healthcare system. By returning these dollars to the states, we can start working on state by state reform that will best serve our constituents. I want to thank my colleagues in supporting my efforts to find a solution to our Healthcare crisis. Ohioans are demanding actions, not just words, and today the Ohio House took that step.” – Retherford said.

The Health Care Compact included a set of core principles, inspired by the goals of personal freedom and federalism. The principles include:

• The separation of powers, both between the branches of the federal government and between federal and state authority, is essential to the preservation of individual liberty.
• The Constitution creates a federal government of limited and enumerated powers, and reserves to the states or to the people those powers not granted to the federal government.
• The member states seek to protect individual liberty and personal control over healthcare decisions, and believe the best method to achieve these ends is by vesting regulatory authority over health care in the states

House Bill 34 now goes to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

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For more information, contact Adam Landefeld in Rep. Boose’s office at (614) 466-9628 or Adam.Landefeld@ohiohouse.gov; or Nicholas Stallard in Rep. Retherford’s office at (614) 644-6721 or Nicholas.Stallard@ohiohouse.gov.

 

UPDATE: Health Care Compact (HB 34)

Update

 Health Care Compact (HB 34) 

   

This Wednesday 9/30/2015 (tomorrow) coming back from their summer break, the Ohio House will be going back in session. 

While they still have a lot of business to address, it is important we continue our push for true health care freedom in Ohio with the Health Care Compact  (HB 34). 

At the federal level, the Health Care Compact (H.J. Res. 50) is picking up more conservative support with Ohio's own Congressman Jim Jordan signing on as a co-sponsor. 

Congressman Jordan was also pleased to hear & strongly supports Ohio's effort to become a member state of the Health Care Compact.

Please take a few minutes to contact your Ohio State Representative and respectfully request that they support the Health Care Compact (HB 34) and put Ohioans in charge of their own health care destiny.

Cuyahoga County Area GOP State Reps:

Rep Mike Dovilla

Phone: (614)466-4895

Contact: Click Here 

Rep. Nan Baker

Phone: (614)466-0961

Contact: Click Here 

Rep Marlene Anielski

Phone: (614)644-6041

Contact: Click Here 

Please call your OH House member and tell them to support the Health Care Compact - Click for OH House Directory.

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