State Senator Files Bill to Protect Businesses from President's Health Care Law

What if the Federal Government forced you to do something against your religion? That's what many businesses across the Nation are saying about President Obama's health care mandate. So, one state lawmaker is stepping up to the plate, going against the Federal Government in favor of the state.

"I have a physician in my district. He's a devout Catholic. He's also taken the hypocratic oath to do no harm," says Republican Senator Clark Jolley, of Edmond.

Dr. Dominic Pedulla, a doctor in the Metro, approached Sen. Jolley because he believes that hypocratic oath applies to the unborn, as well. "He was offering insurance to his employees, but he discovered health insurance covered abortion and birth control, which violates the tenants of his faith," says Sen. Jolley.

"Where you treasure is, there your heart is. Whatever you're paying for and providing, you are agreeing with," says Dr. Pedulla.

"He talked to his Bishop and the Bishop told him he's sinning by offering those coverages," says Sen. Jolley, who is now introducing a bill to change that. "At least as far as Oklahoma law would be concerned, you would not have to have coverage for something you had a religious or moral objection to," says Sen. Jolley. Under the bill, services related to abortion or contraception could be excluded from policies, if an employer chooses. If an employee wished to buy them, they would need to pay out of pocket. "We're protecting Oklahomans and what Oklahoma values are," says Sen. Jolley.

But, there's one problem-- Federal law trumps state law. "If the Federal Government keeps running over the states, then this bill will mean absolutely nothing," says Sen. Jolley. But, he hopes the numerous lawsuits against the health care mandate, like Hobby Lobby's, will put control back in the state's hands. "That's the way we have been doing it. That's the way the states have been dealing with insurance-- is on a state-based regulation. That's the way it should be," says Sen. Jolley.

If the states ever gain back some sort of regulation, Oklahoma would already have a framework in place.State Senator Files Bill to Protect Businesses from President's Health Care Law

Posted: Friday, February 15 2013, 09:56 PM CST