Jones: Health Care Freedom Act will protect your family

Rep. Tim Jones, R-Eureka, continued his anti-federal government message with his latest report, which details the passage of the so-called Health Care Freedom Act:

There are MANY reasons to oppose the health care bills currently under consideration in Congress, including the fact that they contain massive European style levels of taxation, greatly increased regulation, the gutting of Medicare and more out-of-control Washington spending. But one of the most controversial provisions of these proposals is a federal mandate that would require every American to purchase health insurance, or face fines and penalties. Many studies show that if the federal legislation is passed, average health care premiums in Missouri could rise as much as 98%! Because of the fact that Congress is refusing to listen to the vast majority of the American people regarding the fact that we do NOT want this legislation, we introduced the Health Care Freedom Act (HJR 57) in the Missouri House. The companion bill, SJR 25, was filed in the Senate by my good friend and colleague, Senator Jane Cunningham.

This week, I am very pleased to report that the Missouri House "perfected" the "Health Care Freedom Act" which would, upon voter approval, constitutionally protect the rights of Missourians to make their own health care decisions and ensure that your health care decisions can be made without fear of government fines and penalties. We believe that Missourians are better able to manage their own health care than government bureaucrats or Washington politicians. Whether a federal bill becomes law and what it will contain remains uncertain. But with the initial approval of House Joint Resolution 48, 50 & 57, we took an important step this week to ensure that even if Congress has its way, you will continue to be in control of your own health care decisions, some of the most important and private decisions you make for yourself and your family.