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Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
For Immediate Release: May 4, 2010
Sen. Randy Brogdon
Senate Gives Final Approval to ‘Freedom
of Healthcare Choice Act’;
Measure Authorizes Use of Private Attorneys to Fight Obamacare
In a move Sen.
Randy Brogdon said was designed to protect the sovereignty of
Oklahoma, the full Senate gave its approval Tuesday to House Joint
Resolution 1054. Brogdon, R-Owasso, is the principal Senate author
of the “Freedom of Healthcare Choice Act,” which is
authored by Rep. Mike Ritze, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Mike Reynolds,
R-Oklahoma City, in the House.
“This legislation does three things. It would prevent the
federal government from forcing any Oklahoman to participate in
any health care system. It would also prohibit the federal government
from dictating how doctors choose to care for their patients,”
Brogdon said. “Finally, the measure authorizes the leaders
of the Legislature to hire outside council to represent Oklahoma
in a lawsuit to prevent Obamacare from being forced on our state.”
Debating for the measure, Brogdon pointed out numerous problems
in countries that have socialized medicine, including unreasonable
waiting periods for treatment, rationing of medical care and even
refusal to cover some procedures and medications.
“I believe Oklahomans should have the freedom to choose their
own healthcare and insurance plans—and I believe if we have
to go to court to fight for that right then we should. Unfortunately
our Attorney General has refused to stand up for the people of this
state and has declined to file suit,” Brogdon said. “HJR
1054 authorizes our Pro Tempore and Speaker to hire outside counsel.
The good news is that we already have outside attorneys that have
volunteered to take this case pro bono.”
The measure was approved by the Senate, but the emergency clause,
which would have allowed the bill to become law immediately upon
the governor’s signature, was not. If a vote to reconsider
the emergency clause does not occur within three legislative days,
the measure will proceed to the governor in its current form. If
approved by the governor, it would become law 90 days after Sine
Die (final) adjournment of the Legislature.
For more information, contact:
Sen. Brogdon: (405) 521-5566
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