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UPDATE: See below for a round-up of the media coverage of the Health Care Freedom Act.   NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Center for Policy Research applauds the House of Representatives for passing the “Health Care Freedom Act” Monday evening. Once signed by the governor, the act will safeguard Tennesseans from the unconstitutional federal healthcare law that has become notoriously known as ObamaCare. The “Health Care Freedom Act” protects the right of Tennesseans to participate or not in any healthcare system, and prohibits the government from imposing fines or penalties for that 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. “This is a very important day for Tennesseans, as the date draws near that the federal government will force them to purchase health insurance,” said TCPR president Justin Owen. “This new law will provide Tennesseans with additional recourse against what two federal judges have already ruled to be an unconstitutional mandate. We were honored to have played a role in securing this protection for our fellow citizens.” TCPR congratulates the main sponsors of the legislation, Sen. Mae Beavers and Rep. Terri Lynn Weaver, as well as others who have worked tirelessly on the measure. The full list of co-sponsors can be viewed at www.capitol.tn.gov. The Senate passed the final version of the bill in February by a bipartisan vote of 21-10. It passed overwhelmingly on the House floor tonight. The bill now goes to Governor Bill Haslam for final approval. Tennessee joins Virginia, Idaho, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, and Oklahoma as the first eight states to pass a law or constitutional amendment protecting the healthcare choices of their citizens. “It’s refreshing to see Tennessee lawmakers take a stand against the unconstitutional federal healthcare mandate,” said Christie Herrera of the American Legislative Exchange Council, the main proponent of this and similar legislation across the nation. “We thank the General Assembly for addressing this important issue before the true implications of ObamaCare hit home.” The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee through the ideas of liberty.

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  Media coverage of the Health Care Freedom Act: FoxNews, Forbes, CNBC, BusinessWeek, Tennessean, Commercial Appeal, Clarksville Leaf Chronicle, Kingsport Times-News, Jackson Sun, Action News 5 (Memphis), WBIR (Knoxville) – TN House passes the “Health Freedom Act” WGNS Radio – Group applauds House of Representatives for Passing “Health Care Freedom Act” TN Report – TCPR: Health Freedom Act gives Tennesseans recourse against ObamaCare Chattanoogan – State House passes Health Freedom Act