Contact: State Rep. Mike Ritze
Capitol: (405) 557-7338

OKLAHOMA CITY (September 15, 2009) – State Rep. Mike Ritze today said the voters of Oklahoma should have the opportunity to preserve their health care coverage even if Congress enacts sweeping changes at the federal level.

To provide that opportunity, he will file legislation next year allowing a vote of the people to opt out of the proposed federal system.

"Polling shows the overwhelming majority of Americans are satisfied with their health care coverage and do not want it taken away," said Ritze, a Broken Arrow Republican who is also a board-certified family practice physician and surgeon. "Many of the proposals under consideration in Congress are likely to result in reduced access to a family doctor, rationing of services, or even outright denial of care if a bureaucrat decides it is not a ‘best practice.’ My legislation would give the voters the ability to protect and preserve their existing health care coverage."

Modeled on an Arizona proposal, Ritze’s legislation would place language on the ballot to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to declare what types of health care systems could lawfully exist in the state.

The proposed constitutional amendment would 

• Prohibit any law or rule from directly or indirectly compelling any person or employer to participate in any health care system;
• Allow any person or employer to pay directly for lawful health care services without paying any penalties or fines;
• Permit a health care provider to provide directly purchased lawful health services without paying any penalties or fines; and
• Stipulate that subject to reasonable and necessary rules that do not substantially limit a person’s options, the purchase or sale of private health insurance will not be prohibited.

The amendment would not change what health care services a provider is required to perform or what health care services are permitted by law.

"This is an issue that could have serious consequences for all citizens and it is only right to allow voters a direct role in the outcome of this debate," Ritze said.