7/31/2019 This Week's Stouffer Report - Ballot Initiatives, Part 3 - Missouri Response to Nationalized Health Care

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July 13, 2012

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Ballot Initiatives, Part 3: MissouriResponse to Nationalized Health Care

In recent weeks, I have told you aboutsome ofthe ballot questions you will see in August and

could see in November. The third of theseproposals, just like the other two, is a result of

legislation that has been thoroughly debated inboth the Missouri Senate and House.

Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 464 earlier thisyear. The measure would prohibit the

establishment and operation of health insuranceexchanges in Missouri, unless certain criteria are

met. This will be on Novembers ballot.

Among the crucial elements of this includeskeeping the governor from opening a health

insurance exchange, which is included in

nationalized health care, the federal health caremandate that was recently upheld by the U.S.Supreme Court. The governor tried to start an

exchange secretly last year, but was stopped byvigilant lawmakers. Even though the federal

government is mandating exchanges, it is alsoadding 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

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mandate that would cost each state billions of

dollars they do not have.

Health care has become a major discussion pointin this country over the past two or three years.

Sadly, the federal government has decided totake the lead, enacting a plan that continues to

lose support every day. Some states have rushedto start a health insurance exchange, becausethey think they will receive millions of federaldollars. As is the case with the federal

government, this so-called free money comes

with many strings attached, the biggest of whichis the one-time payment that could lead tobankrupting 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, Missourivoters gave a resounding no to Proposition C,

which changes some of the rules regardinggovernment-mandated health insurance.

Unfortunately, unfair ballot language may play a

role in this issue as well. Legislators are workingon options to ensure that Missouri voters have a

clear perspective on what they are voting onwhen 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 ourown. Instead, we have debated ideas and sentthem on to the people, so that they may makethe ultimate decision. In the end, since it is the

public that would have to pay for the ideas

dictated by the federal government, it shouldalso 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 ourFounding Fathers meant for it to be.

Senator Stouffer serves the counties of Carroll,

http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills101/biltxt/truly/HB1764T.HTMhttp://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills101/biltxt/truly/HB1764T.HTMhttp://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills101/biltxt/truly/HB1764T.HTM

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Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Lafayette, Macon, Ray,Saline, and a part of Clay.

If you have questions or comments about this or anyother issue, please call toll free (866) 768-3987 or by

e-mail atbstouffer@senate.mo.gov.

bstouffer@senate.mo.gov | www.senate.mo.gov/stoufferState Capitol, Room 332, Jefferson City, MO 65101 | (866) 768-3987

mailto:bstouffer@senate.mo.govmailto:bstouffer@senate.mo.govmailto:bstouffer@senate.mo.govhttp://www.senate.mo.gov/12info/members/mem21.htmhttp://www.senate.mo.gov/12info/members/mem21.htmmailto:bstouffer@senate.mo.govmailto:bstouffer@senate.mo.gov