| Start Date: | 3/21/2012 | Start Time: | 2:00 PM | | End Date: | 3/21/2012 | | |
STATEHOUSE-The Health Care Compact (HCC) that would allow Indiana to remove itself from the federal government’s universal health care mandate was signed into law this week. Rep. Tim Neese (R-Elkhart) authored the legislation, House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1269.
“What is so unique about our country is the liberty that we are provided. The compact focuses on less government and highlights the need for less bureaucracy,” said Rep. Neese. “Indiana families’ health care needs are different than families in other states, so the health care available should reflect accordingly. The compact is an alternative to federally mandated healthcare and would give families and individuals a voice in their own health care.”
The compact is an alternative to the federal universal health care law and would allow Indiana to remove itself from the existing federal law. Georgia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, and Utah have all joined the compact.
HCC is an interstate compact which is an agreement between two or more states that can be adopted as part of the law in each state with the consent of Congress. The HCC has to be approved by Congress before it can be implemented.
If the compact is approved by Congress, the compact allows Indiana to begin debating the best methods, policies, and programs of healthcare to best serve Hoosiers.
“Indiana is home to some of the best physicians, medical experts and health care facilities,” said Rep. Neese. “I am confident a superior health care plan to that of the federal government can be implemented.”
As part of the HCC, the Indiana General Assembly, working with a cross section of medical experts and citizens’ input, would determine if and how a health care system would operate in Indiana. The compact would allow Indiana to modify specific federal laws, regulations and orders concerning health care.
“With healthcare spending exceeding $2.3 trillion annually, healthcare is simply too large and complex to manage at the federal level,” said Rep. Neese. “This provides that Hoosiers’ tax dollars are spent on healthcare coverage in Indiana, without being mandated on how to spend it. The compact puts states in control of decision-making and allows Indiana to do what is best for Hoosiers.”
The compact does not cut or make reductions in benefits or services to any health care program, including Medicare or Medicaid. The Health Care Compact will allow Indiana to create its own health care plan that is best for Hoosiers.
The Health Care Compact has been endorsed by the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce, the American Legislative Exchange Council, and the Health Care Compact Alliance.
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