Doak praises Florida judicial ruling on “ObamaCare”
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
Published: 02-Feb-2011
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
Published 02-Feb-2011
This week, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak said Florida's U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson made the right decision Monday when he ruled that Congress exceeded its authority when it passed federal health care reform in 2010.
In a statement sent to CapitolBeatOK, Commissioner Doak said, “Judge Vinson hit the nail on the head when he said Congress exceeded the bounds of its authority in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a requirement that every individual must purchase health insurance. Oklahoma voters made their feelings abundantly clear on the issue when they passed State Question 756, which amended the Constitution and permits Oklahomans to opt out of the federal program’s demand that all citizens maintain private health insurance policies. I’m glad to see a federal judge apply that same kind of common sense.”
Judge Vinson wrote in his opinion, “If Congress can penalize a passive individual for failing to engage in commerce, the enumeration of powers in the Constitution would have been in vain.”
Doak said, “I’m not sure there could be any clearer statement that Congress went too far. Rather than forcing mandates on people, we should be looking for ways to increase choices and options for consumers.”
Mike Rhoads, Deputy Commissioner of Health Insurance, said, “We’re delighted that this decision gives us an opportunity to reset the discussion concerning meaningful health insurance reform to focus on everyone’s primary concern, which is affordability.”
“Judge Vinson is the second judge to rule against the federal legislation,” Doak noted. “Undoubtedly, the issue is going to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, state lawmakers and insurance providers should begin taking the steps to identify and implement health insurance solutions that will benefit Oklahomans. I will do my part in helping to find and put in place market driven solutions.”
Published: 02-Feb-2011
CapitolBeatOK Staff Report
Published 02-Feb-2011
This week, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John Doak said Florida's U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson made the right decision Monday when he ruled that Congress exceeded its authority when it passed federal health care reform in 2010.
In a statement sent to CapitolBeatOK, Commissioner Doak said, “Judge Vinson hit the nail on the head when he said Congress exceeded the bounds of its authority in passing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a requirement that every individual must purchase health insurance. Oklahoma voters made their feelings abundantly clear on the issue when they passed State Question 756, which amended the Constitution and permits Oklahomans to opt out of the federal program’s demand that all citizens maintain private health insurance policies. I’m glad to see a federal judge apply that same kind of common sense.”
Judge Vinson wrote in his opinion, “If Congress can penalize a passive individual for failing to engage in commerce, the enumeration of powers in the Constitution would have been in vain.”
Doak said, “I’m not sure there could be any clearer statement that Congress went too far. Rather than forcing mandates on people, we should be looking for ways to increase choices and options for consumers.”
Mike Rhoads, Deputy Commissioner of Health Insurance, said, “We’re delighted that this decision gives us an opportunity to reset the discussion concerning meaningful health insurance reform to focus on everyone’s primary concern, which is affordability.”
“Judge Vinson is the second judge to rule against the federal legislation,” Doak noted. “Undoubtedly, the issue is going to reach the U.S. Supreme Court. In the meantime, state lawmakers and insurance providers should begin taking the steps to identify and implement health insurance solutions that will benefit Oklahomans. I will do my part in helping to find and put in place market driven solutions.”
