Kelly Introducing Health Care Freedoms Resolution

(Fairbanks) - Representative Mike Kelly, R-Fairbanks, today announced plans to introduce a resolution that provides for placing an amendment to Alaska's Constitution before voters during the next general election making explicit the individual right to health care free choice. The resolution and attendant constitutional amendment would prohibit passage of laws that compel any person or employer to participate in a particular health care system. The proposed constitutional change will also permit the purchase of private insurance and allow Alaskans to pay their own health care provider directly.

Without this resolution we could be at the mercy of a distant and unaccountable federal agency.
~ Rep. Mike Kelly

"Changes to our health care system need to be made, but not by federal fiat and the use of czars to limit choice and ration health care," Kelly said. "Attempts at encroachment on individual and States' Rights by the Federal Government have hit overdrive under this congress and Administration. Land control issues, Second Amendment gun rights, unfunded mandates, socializing health care, forced bail-outs, earmark stimulus schemes and more government debt than has ever been incurred. The federal government seems bent on obliterating our 10th Amendment rights to govern our state. Health care freedoms are one of many Inalienable Rights referred to in the Declaration of Independence and the Inherent Rights in Article 1, Section 1 of The Alaska Constitution. Alaskans cannot enjoy the rights to 'Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness' unless they include health care freedom."

Arizona was the first state to pass a Health Care Freedoms resolution. The proposed amendment will appear before registered Arizona voters on the November 2010 ballot. Similar measures have been introduced in Ohio and West Virginia and 13 other states have resolutions pending introduction.

"Without this resolution we could be at the mercy of a distant and unaccountable federal agency," Kelly said. "We've attracted several co-prime sponsors for the legislation. I expect the 2/3 vote to be tough, but achievable."