SB258 Alabama 2012 Session

This bill would establish the Health Care Compact and would secure the consent of the United States Congress to return the authority to regulate health care to the member states to the compact

This bill would establish the Interstate Advisory Health Care Commission, and would provide for membership, duties, and terms of office

This bill would provide for funding to support the exercise of member state authority pursuant to the compact

Relating to health care regulation; to establish the Health Care Compact; to secure the consent of the United States Congress to return the authority to regulate health care to the member states to the compact; to establish the Interstate Advisory Health Care Commission, to provide for membership, duties, and terms of office; and to provide for funding. Whereas, the separation of powers, both between the branches of the Federal government and between Federal and State authority, is essential to the preservation of individual liberty; and Whereas, the Constitution creates a Federal government of limited and enumerated powers, and reserves to the States or to the people those powers not granted to the Federal government; and Whereas, the Federal government has enacted many laws that have preempted State laws with respect to Health Care, and placed increasing strain on State budgets, impairing other responsibilities such as education, infrastructure, and public safety; and Whereas, the Member States seek to protect individual liberty and personal control over Health Care decisions, and believe the best method to achieve these ends is by vesting regulatory authority over Health Care in the States; and Whereas, by acting in concert, the Member States may express and inspire confidence in the ability of each Member State to govern Health Care effectively; and Whereas, the Member States recognize that consent of Congress may be more easily secured if the Member States collectively seek consent through an interstate compact; and NOW THEREFORE, the Member States hereto resolve, and by the adoption into law under their respective State Constitutions of this Health Care Compact, agree, as follows: