Arkansas Health Care Debate Heats Up Tomorrow

Have you called your legislator today? 

Rep David Meeks’ bill HB1053 known as the “Health Care Freedom Act” will be the focus of the Public Health Committee tomorrow at 10am.

I would encourage you to read the bill in its entirety here, (it’s only 2 pages long). The subtitle says a lot:

AN ACT TO ENSURE FREEDOM OF CHOICE IN

 HEALTH CARE FOR ALL ARKANSANS; AND TO

PREVENT INVOLUNTARY ENROLLMENTS IN HEALTH

 CARE INSURANCE PROGRAMS.

Plastered all over news headlines in the past few weeks we have learned that now Twenty –Six states have joined in the law suit challenging the national healthcare bill, known as ObamaCare.   Although the majority of Arkansans are in favor of the repeal, Governor Beebe and Attorney General McDaniel have said they would not be joining the cause.

However our Lieutenant Governor Mark Darr has made is quite clear all through his campaign that he is in support of the repeal and even has suggested he would file a lawsuit himself.

It is my understanding that the committee meeting tomorrow will be streamed live; you can access that from the web site http://www.arkansashouse.org/

The Committee is chaired by Rep. Linda Tyler, (D) from Conway. Here’s what Fox 16 reported on Rep. Tyler:

 State Representative Linda Tyler, (D) Conway, said she's not crazy about big government either but a mandate might be necessary. Tyler said, "it may just be something that we're going to have to accept as a part of being able to get where we need to be in health care reform."

Tyler chairs the Public Health and Welfare Committee and wants to see what the court system decides about health care reform before passing state legislation. Plus, she worries Meeks' bill would open Arkansas up to lawsuits. "That would be at a cost to our state that we just can't afford right now," she said.

Her statement on opening up Arkansas to a lawsuit is the same explanation the Governor and Attorney General have stated for their decision not to join the other 26 states.

In speaking with David this morning, he feels that it will pass out of this committee and be sent for a vote to the full House.  It will then proceed to the Senate Heath Committee and then a full Senate vote before ever making it to the Governor’s desk.

Meeks says that he is very appreciative of the support he has received. In speaking with other legislators today they have received numerous phone calls in favor of this particular issue.

David's interview with Americans for Prosperity on the issue:

I encourage you to contact your legislators and the members of the committee  and let them know your position on this issue.  As always please be respectful, keep your comments civil and factual and thank them for their service to our state.