‘Health Care Freedom Amendment’ advances to Kansas House floor for debate

? A Kansas House committee has endorsed a proposed “Health Care Freedom Amendment” to the state constitution.

The Health and Human Services Committee sent the measure to the House for debate on a 12-9 vote Tuesday.

The amendment would add a provision to the constitution prohibiting the state from requiring any individual or business to buy health insurance or to participate in a particular health care plan.

Republican Rep. Brenda Landwehr, of Wichita, is the main sponsor. Landwehr says the amendment would put the state in a better position to challenge federal health reforms that Kansans oppose.

Critics said the amendment could cause legal problems for the state if it wants to participate in federal health reform.