‘Health Care Compact’ Legislation Introduced

Rep. Rick Jasperse (R-Jasper) introduced legislation in the Georgia House of Representatives last week that seeks to restore the power of states to regulate their individual health care systems.

House Bill 461 or the “Health Care Compact” Bill is aimed at protecting Georgia’s 10th Amendment right to regulate healthcare within the state.

“Our founding fathers intentionally created a federalism that reserved the states’ authority over all issues not specifically given to the federal government, because they knew it was the best way to preserve individual freedom and opportunity while still enabling individual states to safeguard jobs and prosperity,” said Rep. Jasperse in a released statement.  “Unfortunately, the federal government’s encroachment on the 10th Amendment threatens states’ ability to serve and protect their citizens.  Something must be done to stop this encroachment and return the federal government to its constitutional bounds. Neither the Commerce Clause, nor any other section of the Constitution, allows Washington, DC to dictate Georgia’s healthcare regulations.”

In the 10th Amendment to the United States Constitution, states reserve all powers not granted to the federal government. This includes healthcare regulation, according to Rep. Jasperse.

If H.B. 461 passes, Georgia would enter into “The Healthcare Compact,” an interstate agreement in which participating states work together to improve the healthcare in their respective states.  Member states would receive an annual appropriation of funds from the federal government and would be allowed to leave the compact at any time.

As part of the compact, an Interstate Advisory Health Care Commission would be established to assess the performance of various health care programs. Two appointees from each member state would be part of the commission.

If the compact is approved by Congress, member states could suspend federal healthcare regulations by adopting superseding state legislation. The federal government would retain control over military healthcare within the participating states.

H.B. 461 has been assigned to the House Insurance committee for consideration. The bill is co-sponsored by Representatives John Meadows (R-Calhoun), Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica), Terry England (R-Auburn), Roger Williams (R-Dalton), Delvis Dutton (R- Glennville) and others.  

Rep. Jasperse represents the citizens of District 12, which includes portions of Bartow, Gordon, and Pickens Counties.