Approved Bill Opposes Federal Health Care Overhaul
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4)- The Republican-controlled state House has passed a bill that would prohibit Floridians from being required to purchase health insurance.
The measure (HB 1193) approved on a largely party line 81-34 vote Friday would put Florida in direct conflict with the federal health care overhaul.
The federal law will require most people eventually to have insurance coverage.
Legal experts say federal laws trump state legislation.
All Republicans voted for the bill. All but one Democrat, Rep. Leonard Bembry of Greenville in the Panhandle, voted against it.
The bill now goes to the Senate, where identical legislation (SB 1754) is set for a vote next week,
The Senate in March also passed a proposed state constitutional amendment (SJR 2) with a similar ban. It's awaiting a floor vote in the House.
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