Health care critics want to exempt Missouri from federal health care program
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Health care critics want to exempt Missouri from federal health care program

Date: January 28, 2010
By: Allie Spillyards
State Capitol Bureau
Links: SJR 25

Intro: Opponents of a congressional-run health care plan presented a bill on Thursday that would allow Missouri to block a federal mandate.
RunTime: 0:40
OutCue: SOC

Wrap: The Health Care Freedom Act would prohibit laws requiring individuals to participate in a government-run health care program.

Republican Senator Jane Cunningham sponsored the bill. She says it wouldn't mean Missouri would opt out of federal health care legislation.

Actuality: CUNNING.WAV
Run Time: 00:12
Description: "You can continue to enjoy the services that you have chosen now,or you can choose to go with the federal plan if they come down with one. So this would not eliminate any option only increase options."

Opponents say the mandate is necessary for the government to help all individuals and some people won't get coverage if the mandate's not enforceable in Missouri.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Allie Spillyards.

Intro: The Senate Governmental Accountability Committee was urged Thursday to give Missourians the right to refuse any requirement to have health care insurance.
RunTime: 0:42
OutCue: SOC

Wrap: The Health Care Freedom Act would allow individuals to seek private coverage if they don't want to participate in a government-run health care plan.

Missouri Hospital Association spokesperson Daniel Landon says this policy will hurt some who need coverage.

Actuality: LANDON1.WAV
Run Time: 00:15
Description: "One of the main ways that the federal government can cover more people is to have an individual mandate or a mandate to have coverage. If that is not enforceable in Missouri, there will be some, and I don't know how many, people who do not get coverage."

Republican Senator Jane Cunningham is the sponsor of the bill. She says the bill increases personal liberties by allowing a choice in health care coverage.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Allie Spillyards