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TOPEKA —
A proposal aimed at blocking part of last year's federal health care overhaul from taking effect in Kansas has advanced in the state Senate.
Senators voted 26-10 on Tuesday to amend a so-called health care "freedom" measure into a bill dealing with the state's pharmacy laws. Senators expected to finish debating the bill later.
The proposal would prohibit state government from forcing any individual or employer to buy health insurance. That's a challenge to the federal law's requirement that most Americans purchase insurance, starting in 2014.
The amendment came from Shawnee Republican Mary Pilcher-Cook, who said she's trying to protect Kansans' liberty.
But critics say the state can't overrule a federal law and note the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether the federal law is constitutional.
A proposal aimed at blocking part of last year's federal health care overhaul from taking effect in Kansas has advanced in the state Senate.
Senators voted 26-10 on Tuesday to amend a so-called health care "freedom" measure into a bill dealing with the state's pharmacy laws. Senators expected to finish debating the bill later.
The proposal would prohibit state government from forcing any individual or employer to buy health insurance. That's a challenge to the federal law's requirement that most Americans purchase insurance, starting in 2014.
The amendment came from Shawnee Republican Mary Pilcher-Cook, who said she's trying to protect Kansans' liberty.
But critics say the state can't overrule a federal law and note the U.S. Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether the federal law is constitutional.
