Last week, Kansas 'thugs' put up a healthcare 'opt-out' amendment.

[deminks]

You know, just in case reform passes:

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1534097.html

TOPEKA | Three Republican lawmakers in Kansas want to give the state an opt-out should Congress pass health reforms that mandate individual health insurance.

Their proposal, which would alter the Kansas Constitution, is similar to efforts under way in more than half the states, including Missouri. It’s a pointed attempt to get President Barack Obama and Congress to back off efforts to retool the nation’s health care system.

“Kansas citizens have a right to make their own health care decisions without federal czars,” said Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, a Shawnee Republican and one of the three sponsors of the proposed amendment.

The amendment would say no law can require individuals or employers to buy health insurance.

To be added to the state constitution, the legislation must be passed by a two-thirds majority of the Kansas House and Senate and then be approved by voters next year.



and here is a spin article:

http://www.eldoradotimes.com/news/x665153239/Legislative-Coalition-Aims-to-Preserve-the-Freedom-of-Kansans-to-Provide-for-Their-Health-Care

TOPEKA – Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook, House Health and Human Services Chair Representative Brenda Landwehr and Assistant House Majority Leader Peggy Mast along with several supporters from each Chamber, have announced that they will be filing a House and a Senate Concurrent Resolution (HCR, SCR) to preserve constitutionally the right and freedom of Kansans to provide for their health care.

The resolution, The Health Care Freedom Amendment, gives Kansas citizens the right to choose whether or not to join any health care system, allowing them to manage their own health care options. The legislation also allows citizens to pay directly for medical care without penalties or fines, which is not allowed in some single-payer countries.

“Some lawmakers in the federal government are on a radical path to take away Americans’ health care freedom,” said Sen. Pilcher-Cook. “To protect citizens’ liberty in our state, this proposed constitutional amendment lays out simple principles that will preserve the freedom of Kansans to provide for their health care.”

Under the legislation, any state attempt to require an individual to purchase health insurance—or forbid an individual from purchasing services outside of the required health care system—would be rendered unconstitutional. The measure may also cause a federalism clash if Congress passes a law with either of these provisions.

“This is not a battle that hasn’t been fought before or won before,” said Christie Herrera, health policy director for the American Legislative Exchange Council, a state legislator group coordinating the effort.


So, which corporate fatshit pig is behind this? Hmmm?

American Legislative Exchange Council:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Legislative_Exchange_Council

ALEC has approximately three hundred private sector members including corporations, state and national think tanks, and trade associations. Some corporations and trade groups that have supported ALEC include: American Nuclear Energy Council, American Petroleum Institute, Coors Brewing Company, Texaco, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, VISA, Exxon Mobil, the National Rifle Association, Amway, and others. Groups critical of ALEC claim that the organization is controlled by the entities that fund it, subsequently promoting donors' agendas and goals, along with attempting to advance legislation which favors their interests.<11> ALEC has also provided complete state monopolies to Verizon and Comcast.<12> This has resulted in many websites and internet material being censored for their social, cultural, and political ideas, as has been demonstrated in all fifty states.<13>

People for the American Way refers to them as "a right-wing public policy organization with strong ties to major corporations, trade associations and right-wing politicians" with an agenda that "includes rolling back civil rights, challenging government restrictions on corporate pollution, limiting government regulations of commerce, privatizing public services, and representing the interests of the corporations that make up its supporters."

(end snip)

That's who.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Big march against this here on Sat

Mary Pilcher-Cook is a nightmare.

[necso]

2. r&k