Freedom of choice in health care.

WORKING DRAFT
2009
STATE OF
WYOMING
09LSO-0512

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
NO.
SJ0003

Freedom of choice in health care.

Sponsored by:
Senator(s) Hines and Representative(s) Hallinan

A BILL

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing to amend the Wyoming Constitution
; providing for freedom of choice in health care; prohibiting laws interfering with freedom of choice in health care
.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF
WYOMING
,
two-thirds of all the members of the two houses, voting separately, concurring therein:

Section 1.

The following proposal to amen
d Wyoming Constitution, Article 7, Section 20
is proposed for submission to the electors of the State of
Wyoming
at the next general election for approval or rejection to become valid as a part of the Constitution if ratified by a majority of the electors at the election:

Article 7, Section 20. Duty of legislature to protect and promote health and morality of people.

(a)

As the health and morality of the people are essential to their well-being, and to the peace and permanence of the state, it shall be the duty of the legislature to protect and promote these vital interests by such measures for the encouragement of temperance and virtue, and such restrictions upon vice and immorality of every sort, as are deemed necessary to the public welfare.

(b)

A
ll people
h
ave the right to make decisions about
their
health care
. N
o law shall be passed that restricts a person's freedom of choice of private health care systems or private plans of any type. No law shall interfere with a person's or entity's right to pay directly for lawful medical services, nor 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 plan.

Section 2.

That the Secretary of State shall endorse the following statement on the proposed amendment:

The adoption of this amendment will
prohibit laws that
restrict an individual's ability to participate in
pri
vate health care systems
or
private
health care
plans
.

The amendment would also prohibit laws which
restrict
an individual's or entity's right to pay directl
y for lawful medical services. The amendment
would prohibit laws imposing
fines
or other penalties
upon
an individual
or entity for c
hoos
ing to obtain or decline health care coverage or to participate in any health care system or plan.

(END)

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SJ0003