House puts health care measure on Fla. ballot - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

House puts health care measure on Fla. ballot - Political Currents - MiamiHerald.com

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature has put an amendment on next year's ballot aimed at thwarting the federal health care overhaul.

Republicans derided the federal law as "Obamacare" in debate Wednesday before a mostly party line 80-37 vote in the House.

The Senate passed the amendment (SJR 2) in March. It is sponsored by Senate President Mike Haridopolos, a candidate for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination.

Many legal experts say the amendment would have no effect because federal law tops state measures.

The Florida measure would ban government requirements to buy health insurance, which the federal law would mandate for most citizens.

The Legislature passed a similar proposal last year, but the Florida Supreme Court took it off the ballot. The justices ruled the ballot summary was inaccurate and misleading.

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