02/09/10

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ Idaho House Republicans passed a measure
meant to scuttle proposed federal health care reforms that would
require residents or companies to buy insurance.

The ``Idaho Health Freedom Act'' passed on a 52-18 vote on
Tuesday. It would require the state to sue the federal government
over any health insurance mandates.

The measure, which divided Democrats and Republicans across the
nation, now goes to the Senate.

Similar measures are up for consideration in three dozen other
states.

During debate on the House floor, Rep. Raul Labrador, an Eagle
Republican running in the GOP primary for Congress, told colleagues
that passing this bill now will help prevent the federal government
from foisting a top-down solution on states.

All Democrats objected, with House Minority Leader John Rusche
contending this measure is premature _ Congress has passed no
reforms, so far _ and will interfere with efforts to cut costs and
improve the damaged U.S. health care system.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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