Lawmakers Unveil Legislation to Preserve Ohioans’ Health Care Coverage Choices

Columbus—State Representatives Terry Boose (R-Norwalk) and Barbara Sears (R-Maumee) today unveiled legislation that will preserve Ohioans’ freedom to make their own health care decisions.

“Ohioans should not be punished through fines by the federal government for not purchasing health insurance,” Rep. Boose said. “This legislation aims to put Ohio in an advantageous position to defend its state powers, which seem to be eroding daily in Washington, D.C.”

The bill, which will be formally introduced as early as next week, is the companion legislation to Senate Bill 244 as introduced by Senators Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland) and Shannon Jones (R-Springboro). It would affirm that it is the policy of the state that no Ohioan shall be required to obtain or maintain an individual health insurance policy, be it a private, employer-sponsored, state or federal plan. It would also ensure that Ohioans may not be assessed a fee or fine as a result of exercising their choice.

“The federal health care bill will raise costs on families and small businesses when they can least afford it,” Rep. Sears said. “It is important for lawmakers to defend the freedom of their constituents to decide which health care options best suit their own individual needs.”

Additionally, the bill would require the Ohio Attorney General to seek injunctive relief against any policy that opposes this principle, including the federal health care legislation signed into law by President Barack Obama.

According to a publication by the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures, it is estimated that the federal bill could cost the state $349 million for calendar years 2017 through 2019, further exacerbating Ohio’s budgetary problems. However, it is important to note that with the piecemeal approach employed by the majority in Congress to narrowly secure the votes necessary for passage, the true costs to states and individuals remain unclear until Congress completes its work.

The legislation introduced by Reps. Boose and Sears is similar to bills that have been passed in Virginia and Idaho and introduced in 13 other states, according to information from the National Conference of State Legislatures. Nearly 30 states are pursuing constitutional amendments in an effort to decouple from the federal health care mandates they view as wrong for their states and citizens. Reps. Boose and Sears also continue to support Rep. Ron Maag (R-Lebanon) on House Joint Resolution 3 to pass a constitutional amendment to prohibit compelling a person, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system.