On Monday, three state representatives announced their renewed push for the Health Care Freedom Act (HF171), a proposed amendment to Minnesota’s constitution protecting freedom of choice in health care.

 

Representatives Tom Emmer (Delano), Mark Buesgens (Jordan) and Peggy Scott (Andover) announced the reintroduction of the bill in a press conference.

 

“Over the past few months we learned that Minnesotans have very strong opinions about what may happen to their health care. This amendment gives us the chance for a statewide town hall in the form of a ballot question,” said Representative Scott.

 

If adopted, the amendment aims to preserve the right of individuals to independently pay for medical services or private health insurance.

 

The amendment would read, “Because all people should have the right to make decisions about their health care, no law shall be passed that restricts a person’s freedom of choice of private health care systems or private health plans of any type. No law shall interfere with a person’s or entity’s right to pay directly for lawful medical services, no shall any law impose a penalty or fine, of any type for choosing to obtain or decline health care coverage or for participation in any particular health care system or health plan.”

 

While this seems like language that most people would find to be an obvious common-sense measure, the bill to put this amendment on the ballot has been repeatedly halted in past sessions of the legislature. It’s evident that the majority party in the legislature does not want to put this question to the people.