HARRISBURG – State Senator David G. Argall (R-29) today joined a growing number of legislators who are opposed to the newly signed federal health care law by co-sponsoring legislation in the state Senate to prohibit the federal government from mandating participation in any given health care system and eliminate fines or penalties on those who decline to enroll in a health care plan.
As a result of Congress approving legislation mandating individuals who currently are without health care to purchase it, legislative proposals are being put forth to protect Pennsylvania residents. Two such proposals soon to be introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati (R-25) and Senator Mike Folmer (R-48) would prevent Pennsylvanians from being fined for not enrolling in such programs or for mandating participation.
"During what many are calling the 'Great Recession,' our federal government approved an all-too-expensive 2,000 page measure, which many Americans simply cannot afford," said Argall. "This law is not only bad for patients and medical practitioners, but also bad for us, the taxpayers. I am pleased to join Senators Scarnati and Folmer in preventing the federal government from imposing this new law and its penalties on my constituents."
Senator Scarnati's proposal would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to prohibit the federal government from mandating that an individual participate in a given health care system and also prohibit the imposition of any fines or penalties on an individual who declines to participate in such a system.
Senator Folmer's legislation, modeled after Virginia's recently passed legislation, will prohibit the federal government from forcing citizens to purchase government-approved health insurance.
In December, Argall held a Schuylkill County town meeting to discuss health care reform initiatives on the state and federal levels. "My co-sponsorship of this legislation to allow local residents avoid these confusing and expensive new federal mandates is a direct result of what people asked me to do at that meeting," Argall noted. "Both of these bills reinforce the intent of the 10th Amendment that powers not granted to the national government nor prohibited to the states by the constitution of the United States are reserved to the states or the people."
PrintThis
Comments
This Press Release gave us no indication what Argall would do. He said it is wrong, too many pages, and he did not tell us what he is opposed to specifically. I also noticed he had to join on after the bill was written. Does that mean the Senators are not working with Dave. He has been there two decades (too long).
We can not let the politicians just speak words. We have to get them to speak in concrete actions they would do, if elected. This is just another fluff piece that keeps his name in your face. His newsletters have no actions he plans to take. Debates lack hosts that hold the candidates to the question and demand an answer to the question instead of grandstanding running out time so they don't have to make a commitment.
Come on people, let's demand some facts before we vote. Make sure we get something before the May 2010 Primaries for both parties.
taxpayer going broke from taxation!