Associated Press
Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled Senate is advancing legislation for a constitutional amendment that would prevent Pennsylvania from enacting a law that requires someone to buy health insurance, or punishes them for not doing so.
The bill passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday and could get a vote later this week in the full chamber.
The sponsor, Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, says the bill is designed to make a statement in opposition to President Barack Obama’s signature federal health care law. It wouldn’t have a practical effect on the federal law.
A state constitutional amendment must be approved by both the House and Senate in two consecutive two-year sessions and then get approval from the state’s voters. The earliest the provision could appear on a ballot is next year.
Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/article/ap/612824_Pa–Senate-GOP-pursue-statement-on-health-care-law.html