JEFFERSON CITY — Missourians continue to feel the effects of the passage of the federal healthcare law or, as it is commonly referred to, “ObamaCare.” They are feeling it when they go to the doctor and, now, when they open their wallets or purses. We are still learning of the damaging consequences of ObamaCare, and it seems every week we are reading about a new program or cost that the taxpayers will be footing the bill for because of this law. As Nancy Pelosi infamously said, “We have to pass the bill so you can find out what is in it.” Unfortunately, this has come true, and I believe many of us do not like what we have found.

Now we find out that the federal government is trying to lure states into accepting grants and other federal monies to implement provisions of ObamaCare. It shouldn’t be surprising that they are doing this with strings attached that would require our state to abide by rules and guidelines imposed by bureaucrats. This means that a state department could potentially accept a grant or funding stream and bind the people of Missouri to the programs or costs mentioned earlier that they did not ask for and have no ability to oppose. I have introduced legislation, Senate Bill 156, to address this problem. My solution is simple; Senate Bill 156 would prohibit the Missouri Department of Insurance and any other state agency from applying for, accepting, or expending federal moneys relating to the implementation of ObamaCare, unless authorized by the people of Missouri through their elected representatives in the Legislature.

Some believe that simply because Congress passed ObamaCare, that the states have no say in the matter and are required to take their marching orders. The federal healthcare law passed Congress by a bare majority and is currently law, but this does not prevent our state from considering how we should participate in its implementation. Missourians have consistently and overwhelmingly rejected the federal healthcare law at the ballot. In 2010, Proposition C, which was approved by more than 70 percent of the voters, enacted a statute to prohibit federal laws from compelling Missourians to participate in any government-run health care system. In 2012, Proposition E was approved by more than 60 percent of voters and prohibited the governor or any state agency from establishing a health insurance exchange unless authorized by the voters or by the Legislature.

Ultimately, what ObamaCare comes down to is more federal government control, less personal freedom and spending mandates that our state cannot afford.  Our country was founded on the principles of limited government, respecting the rights of the individual and promoting self-responsibility. We must return to our nation’s roots of self-sufficiency and personal freedom. Instead of just accepting the unfortunate reality of ObamaCare, we should continue looking at ways to protect Missourians and their personal healthcare decisions. Senate Bill 156 would be a step towards accomplishing that goal.