ATLANTA — After a final vote of 111-61, House Resolution 1086 failed to gain the 2/3 constitutional majority vote needed to pass the Georgia House of Representatives. Sponsored by state Representative Calvin Hill (R-Canton), HR 1086 is a constitutional amendment that would have given Georgians the opportunity to decide in the upcoming general election if individuals and companies should be allowed to opt out of the possible federal health care system currently under consideration by the United States Congress. The constitutional amendment would have also protected Georgia companies and citizens from prosecution if they choose to purchase health care services outside of the new healthcare system.
“The federal government is overstepping its authority and putting mandates on the state of Georgia and its citizens,” said Representative Hill. “This resolution would preserve the freedom of our citizens and render unconstitutional any state or federal attempt to impose a mandate to prohibit direct payment of health care.”
To become law, HR 1086 had to pass the House and Senate by a 2/3 constitutional majority vote and receive approval by Georgia voters in an upcoming general election.
HR 1086 is a response to the federal health care bill, which the United States House of Representatives passed on Sunday evening. Co-sponsors of HR 1086 include Representatives Jeff May (R-Monroe), Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), and Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock).
A link to HR 1086 can be found by clicking here.
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Representative Calvin Hill represents the citizens of District 21, which includes portions of Cherokee County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2002, and is the Vice- Chairman of Appropriations Committee and the Vice-Chairman of the Banks & Banking Committee. He also serves on the Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Special Rules, and State Institutions & Property Committees.