By Marshall Griffin, St. Louis Public Radio
Jefferson City, Mo. – The Missouri House has given first-round approval to a proposed constitutional amendment designed to block compulsory participation in any national health care system.
It's one of several resolutions expressing opposition to federal bills and proposals supported by President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress.
Supporters of the resolution, including State Representative Tim Flook (R, Liberty), said the president and Congress are trying to expand the role of government in everyday life.
"The nanny state didn't work in England, it didn't work in Eastern Europe, it didn't work in South America...it's not working in California, it's not working in Michigan...the people of this country don't want crushing national debt," Flook said from the floor of the Missouri House.
State Representative Leonard Hughes (D, Kansas City) accused Republicans of misrepresenting facts about health care reform, and said that access to affordable health care is in crisis.
"We are falling apart right before our eyes...insurance coverage was the basis for this bill...coverage, not cost...over 60 million people are under-insured, not counting the people who are not insured, and so we have a true crisis and epidemic on our hands," Hughes said.
The resolution faces one more House vote before it can be sent to the Missouri Senate.