July 13, 2012

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Ballot Initiatives, Part 3: Missouri Response to Nationalized Health Care

In recent weeks, I have told you about some of the ballot questions you will see in August and could see in November. The third of these proposals, just like the other two, is a result of legislation that has been thoroughly debated in both the Missouri Senate and House. Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 464 earlier this year. The measure would prohibit the establishment and operation of health insurance exchanges in Missouri, unless certain criteria are met. This will be on Novembers ballot. Among the crucial elements of this includes keeping the governor from opening a health insurance exchange, which is included in nationalized health care, the federal health care mandate that was recently upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. The governor tried to start an exchange secretly last year, but was stopped by vigilant lawmakers. Even though the federal government is mandating exchanges, it is also adding a one-time payment to states that do the same. After the first year, states would be on their own, turning this act into an unfunded

mandate that would cost each state billions of dollars they do not have. Health care has become a major discussion point in this country over the past two or three years. Sadly, the federal government has decided to take the lead, enacting a plan that continues to lose support every day. Some states have rushed to start a health insurance exchange, because they think they will receive millions of federal dollars. As is the case with the federal government, this so-called free money comes with many strings attached, the biggest of which is the one-time payment that could lead to bankrupting states when they try to take over this spending on their own. Missouri was the first state to step back and ask what is really going on. In August 2010, Missouri voters gave a resounding no to Proposition C, which changes some of the rules regarding government-mandated health insurance. Unfortunately, unfair ballot language may play a role in this issue as well. Legislators are working on options to ensure that Missouri voters have a clear perspective on what they are voting on when they choose yes or no on this issue. The bottom line is, for all the complaining supporters of nationalized health care do, we in the Legislature have not made mandates of our own. Instead, we have debated ideas and sent them on to the people, so that they may make the ultimate decision. In the end, since it is the public that would have to pay for the ideas dictated by the federal government, it should also be the people who decide if they want to or should have to have these rules in place. This is democracy in action, the way our Founding Fathers meant for it to be. Senator Stouffer serves the counties of Carroll,

Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Macon, Ray, Saline, and a part of Clay. If you have questions or comments about this or any other issue, please call toll free (866) 768-3987 or by e-mail at bstouffer@senate.mo.gov.
bstouffer@senate.mo.gov | www.senate.mo.gov/stouffer State Capitol, Room 332, Jefferson City, MO 65101 | (866) 768-3987