Berks lawmaker to Washington, D.C.: ‘Hands off our health care’

Rep. Sam Rohrer (R-Berks), a leader in efforts to prevent federal government intrusion into matters that should be handled by the states, today announced his support for two pieces of legislation aimed at protecting Pennsylvanians against a federal takeover of the health care system.

“The message we are sending to Washington, D.C., is ‘Hands off our health care,’” Rohrer said.  “The federal government has no authority under the U.S. Constitution to intrude on the private health care decisions of Pennsylvanians.  Furthermore, there is no moral basis for bureaucrats to stand between patients and their doctors.”

While he was unable to attend the event in person, Rohrer lent his support to a “Health Care Freedom” rally that took place today in the Main Rotunda of the Capitol in Harrisburg.

The rally was in support of two pieces of legislation – House Bills 2053 and 2179 – aimed at preventing a federal takeover of Pennsylvania’s health care system.

House Bill 2053, the “Health Care Freedom Act,” would preserve individual rights to not take part in a government-run health care plan, and work to preserve the patient-doctor relationship.  House Bill 2179 is a joint resolution which proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution protecting a citizen’s right to choose his or her own health care and to purchase health care insurance from the company of his or her choice.

“When it comes to health care decisions, the patient and his or her doctor know best,” Rohrer said.  “There is no way a federal bureaucrat or planning agency in Washington, D.C., can do a better job than doctors and their patients.  If the federal government attempts to do for health care what it has already done for poverty, it will spend trillions of dollars without ever alleviating the original problem.  Too often, government adds to a problem instead of solving it.”

Speakers attending the rally included Dr. Ed Chatska, Pennsylvania Coordinator for the Million Med March; Ana Puig, a former resident of the United Kingdom and co-chair of the Kitchen Table Patriots, who discussed her experience living under a government-run health care system; Christie Herrera of the American Legislative Exchange Council; and RJ Harris, a Harrisburg radio personality. Congressman Joe Pitts (R-Lancaster) also provided a video message shown during the rally.

“I firmly believe Pennsylvanians are tired of witnessing the erosion of their freedom,” Rohrer said.  “While today’s rally was about health care, the bigger issue is the ongoing intrusion on the personal liberties of American citizens.  People across our Commonwealth are standing up against a tyrannical federal government that is attempting to insert itself into very personal matters.  In a clear and united voice, Pennsylvanians and residents from other states across the nation are telling the federal government to back off.” 

Last March, Rohrer introduced a joint resolution in the House to reaffirm Pennsylvania’s sovereign rights under the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reads:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Rohrer recently released a column titled “In Defense of Health Care Freedom,” where the lawmaker argued the federal government should not and does not under the U.S. Constitution have the authority to force individuals to purchase a good or service, including health insurance.

“Personal choice and freedom – not government force – should be at the heart of the health care debate,” Rohrer said.  “Americans should be able to purchase health insurance because they want it and they can afford it – not because they are forced by a mandate handed down from politicians and bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.”

For more information about Rohrer’s 10th Amendment Resolution or to view his recent editorial about health care freedom, visit his Web site at SamRohrer.com.

Rep. Samuel Rohrer

128th District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

(610) 775-5130

(717) 787-8550

www.SamRohrer.com

Contact: Dan Massing

House Republican Public Relations

(717) 772-9845

www.pahousegop.com