JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (AP) -- Missouri House members have approved a state constitutional amendment that seeks to block a government mandate to buy health insurance.
The measure was approved 109-46 on Tuesday and now goes to the Senate. Republican supporters say they are trying to "draw a line in the sand" to oppose a federal health care overhaul that would require most to get health insurance.
The proposed state constitutional amendment would ban penalties or fines from being levied against individuals and employers who opt out of insurance and pay directly for their own health care. Medical providers could not be penalized for accepting direct payments for health care.
Some Democrats say the state is trying to block health care changes that could help many Missourians.
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