Candidate Doak joins Sen. Newberry, sponsor of S.Q. 756, to encourage yes votes

CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Published: 09-Sep-2010

State Sen. Dan Newberry, a Tulsa Republican, and John Doak, the Republican nominee for Commissioner of Insurance, today announced a joint effort to encourage “yes” votes for State Question 756.

In a prepared statement sent to CapitolBeatOK, Newberry commended Doak for his support of the measure and said, “We have to work together to fight federally mandated health care.” Doak said, “Oklahomans do not want mandated health insurance, and this is their opportunity to vote against it.”

S. Q. 756 would amend the state constitution to prohibit any penalty against Oklahoma citizens for refusing to purchase federally mandated health insurance. It would also allow physicians in the state to continue accepting direct payment for services.

A similar proposition passed overwhelmingly in Missouri last month, and similar measures will be on the November ballot in Arizona and Florida. Newberry’s S.J.R. 59 was the basis for State Question 756. House sponsor of the measure was state Rep. Mike Thompson, an Oklahoma City Republican.

Doak is challenging incumbent Commissioner Kim Holland, a Democrat. Holland has been critical of aspects of the new federal health care law, and successfully sued to block implementation of a health care insurance claims tax.

NOTE: Editor Patrick B. McGuigan contributed to this report.