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The Tennessee Center for Policy Research applauds the state Senate for passing the “Tennessee Health Freedom Act” by a vote of 26-1 early this morning. The act protects the right of Tennesseans to participate or not in any health care system, and prohibits the government from imposing fines or penalties on that person’s decision. It also protects the right of individuals to purchase—and the right of doctors to provide—lawful medical services without government fine or penalty. The act was sponsored by Senators Mae Beavers, Diane Black, Jim Tracy, Dolores Gresham, Rusty Crowe, Mark Norris, Jack Johnson, Bo Watson, Mike Faulk, and Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey. TCPR director of policy Justin Owen worked closely with the sponsors to advance the measure through the Senate. Similar legislation has been filed in thirty states as result of the federal government’s efforts on so-called healthcare reform. “This legislation is extremely important to protect Tennesseans’ rights to make their own healthcare decisions,” noted Owen. “At a time when politicians in Washington appear tone deaf, it’s absolutely necessary to take action on the state level to preserve the healthcare independence of Tennesseans. We thank the bill’s sponsors for their leadership on this issue.” The language of the Tennessee Senate bill can be found at this link.