August 19, 2009, Introduced by Rep. Amash and referred to the Committee on Health Policy.
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state
constitution of 1963, by adding section 28 to article I, to affirm
a right to independent health care.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
state of Michigan, That the following amendment to the state
constitution of 1963, to affirm a right to independent health care,
is proposed, agreed to, and submitted to the people of the state:
ARTICLE I
Sec. 28. (1) Every person has a right to provide for his or
her own health care.
(2) A law or rule shall not compel, directly or indirectly,
any person, employer, or health care provider to participate in any
health care system.
(3) A person or employer shall not be required to pay
penalties or fines for paying directly for lawful health care
services. A health care provider shall not be required to pay
penalties or fines for accepting direct payment from a person or
employer for lawful health care services. A health care system
shall not be required to pay penalties or fines for permitting a
person or employer to pay directly for lawful health care services
or for permitting a health care provider to accept direct payment
from a person or employer for lawful health care services.
(4) No law or rule shall disadvantage a health care system for
permitting a person or employer to pay directly for lawful health
care services or for permitting a health care provider to accept
direct payment from a person or employer for lawful health care
services.
(5) Subject to reasonable and necessary laws and rules that do
not substantially limit a person's or employer's options, the
purchase or sale of health insurance or health coverage in private
health care systems shall not be prohibited by law or rule.
(6) This section does not do any of the following:
(a) Affect which health care services a health care provider
is required to perform or provide.
(b) Affect which health care services are permitted by law.
(c) Prohibit care provided pursuant to, or prohibit
participation under, the worker's compensation law or automobile
no-fault law.
(d) Affect laws or rules in effect as of January 1, 2009.
(7) As used in this section:
(a) "Compel" includes penalties or fines.
(b) "Direct payment" and "pay directly" mean payment for
lawful health care services without a public or private third
party, not including an employer, paying for any portion of the
service.
(c) "Health care system" means any public or private entity
whose function or purpose is the management of, processing of,
enrollment of individuals for, or payment for, in full or part,
health care services, health care data, or health care information
for its participants.
(d) "Lawful health care services" means any health-related
service or treatment, to the extent that the service or treatment
is permitted or not prohibited by law, rule, or regulation, that
may be provided by persons or businesses otherwise permitted to
offer those services or treatments.
(e) "Penalties or fines" means any criminal or civil penalty,
fine, tax, salary or wage withholding, surcharge, or any named fee
with a similar effect established by law or rule, that is used to
punish or discourage the exercise of rights protected under this
section.
(f) "Rule" means a rule established by a government-
established, -created, or –controlled agency.
Resolved further, That the foregoing amendment shall be
submitted to the people of the state at the next general election
in the manner provided by law.