Missouri Legislature Passes Scaled Down Version of Healthcare Freedom Act

Intro:	It doesn't mean Missouri is now exempt from the federal healthcare law, but lawmakers decided Tuesday to let Missourians at least vote on it in August.
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Wrap: Missourians will vote in August on whether they should let the federal government penalize them for not buying health insurance.

This does not create a new law. If Missouri voters approve it, then it would read in the revised statutes Missouri's stance on federal healthcare laws.

St. Louis Republican Tim Jones is very confident in how Missourians will vote this summer.

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Description: "This will pass easily and will then be put into our state statutes. It will then set up the constitutional showdown many of us have wanted and anticipated on whether or not Obamacare itself is constitutional or not."

22 Democrats sided with Republicans to pass the bill.

From the Missouri House, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	More than 20 House Democrats sided with Republicans to pass a bill that puts Missouri's participation in federal healthcare to a vote of the people this summer.
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Wrap: 22. That's how many Democrats voted for the Healthcare Freedom Act.

Now Missourians will decide on the August primary ballot whether or not the state should be subject to federal healthcare laws.

St. Louis Democrat Jamilah Nasheed said she doesn't think Washington should tell anyone what they're required to buy.

Since House members passed the ballot item as a referendum, it goes straight passed the governor without requiring his signature.

From the Missouri House, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:	Voters will go to the polls this summer with the chance to put in writing the state's stance on federal healthcare laws.
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Wrap: If Missourians vote yes in August then that means the state will take a stand against federal laws requiring you to buy health insurance plans.

That doesn't mean Missouri opts out of the law but it does write down the position in the state's revised statutes.

House Democratic Leader J.C. Kuessner said the healthcare law is good for Missouri.

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Description: "This is a deal that we should accept in this state. We should have open arms and ready to take it in because it's going to take care of the people."

Republicans say they want to challenge the federal government to have Missouri completely opt-out of health insurance mandates.

From the Missouri House, I'm Max Reiss, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.