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Home | News | Virginia Senate passes bills to prevent required health insurance

Virginia's Democratic-controlled state Senate passed bills Feb. 1 that would make it illegal to require individuals to purchase health insurance, according to The Washington Post. The action is viewed as a direct challenge to Democrats' efforts in Washington, D.C., to reform health care; the measures passed less than a week after President Obama urged Washington Democrats to not abandon their health care efforts.

The bills passed with a 23-17 vote, with five Democrats joining all 18 Republicans to support the legislation. Some believe this indicates Obama has not reassured Democrats that current health care reform efforts are worthwhile. Additionally, it is believed some Democrats on the state level fear supporting health care reform could be politically damaging.

The bills are expected to be approved by the Republican-controlled House of Delegates and would run counter to legislation passed by Congress, which would require all individuals to purchase health care. The Washington, D.C., health care debate has prompted action across the U.S., with measures pending in at least 29 states.

Supporters of the Virginia measures say Congress' legislation would violate people's rights.

"I don't believe someone should be forced to buy something they don't want to," says Sen. Phillip Puckett (D-Russell). "It's un-American. And it might be unconstitutional."

Senators who voted against the measure thought it lacked practicality because it would be pre-empted by federal law.

"This would not be worth the paper it's written on, and everybody knows it," says Sen. Richard Saslaw (D-Fairfax). "Everybody knows this bill is nothing more than a brochure bill."

The bill's opponents also say a health care mandate would be a way to help pay for requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. They believe the Virginia Senate's time would be better spent addressing other issues, such as unemployment or the state's $4 billion budget shortfall.

"It's always easier in the political arena to pontificate and pander than it is to actually deliver meaningful legislation and services," says Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.).

2/2/2010

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