82R2701 BPG-D
By: Christian H.C.R. No. 27
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The regulation and oversight of the health insurance
market are powers that have traditionally and historically been
reserved for state government; and
WHEREAS, Through their direct knowledge of market
conditions, state legislatures are uniquely positioned to respond
quickly and efficiently to the needs of local constituents; over
the years, this state-based system of regulation has served all
interests well; and
WHEREAS, The United States Congress overstepped its
constitutional authority when it passed the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act on March 21, 2010; the Act encroaches on the
sovereignty of states, forcing them to spend billions of additional
dollars on entitlement programs; according to the Texas Health and
Human Services Commission, the new federal Medicaid standards
imposed by the Act will double the number of recipients and require
Texas taxpayers to spend an additional $24.3 billion over a 10-year
period; moreover, by shifting substantial administrative
responsibilities to the states, the new law will require that state
employees and agencies devote enormous amounts of time and
resources to implementation; and
WHEREAS, The Act also infringes on the liberty of individuals
by mandating that all citizens and legal residents of the United
States obtain qualifying health care coverage or pay a tax penalty;
this mandate exceeds the powers of the federal government under
Article I of the United States Constitution and violates the Tenth
Amendment; and
WHEREAS, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act not
only is unconstitutional, its implementation will endanger
economic stability by adding billions of dollars to the already
staggering national debt; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby express its opposition to the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.