FAQs
Why does Wyoming need this initiative? Efforts in Wyoming and around the country are gaining steam to put complete control over your healthcare in the hands of government bureaucrats and appointed 'experts'. Government control means you will have less freedom to make the health care choices that are best for you and your family. Government control over health care means "healthcare-by-lobbyist", not the health care that you believe is best for you or your family. Two hundred and twenty years ago, some founders questioned the need for the First and Second Amendments, and the rest of the Bill of Rights, to be in the US Constitution. Some, including Alexander Hamilton, believed the Constitution as written provided enough protection. Our rights have been preserved by the First and Second Amendments. The Health Freedom Act will protect the right to health freedom in the same way.
The "Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act" will preserve and protect the rights of individuals to make their own health care and health insurance choices. Currently, many lobbyists and special interest groups in Wyoming and around the country are promoting policies that would limit or, in some extreme cases, eliminate the ability of people to have choices when seeking out health care for themselves and their families. Whether health care "solutions" come from the right or left we want to make sure "choice" remains a fundamental component. Our ballot measure ensures it will.
How will the Initiative impact current programs in our state? The Health Freedom Act will not in any way impact the funding of any state healthcare program. People currently on Medicare will not be impacted. The ability of individuals to choose their health care providers and health care plans will be forever protected.
Who are the winners and losers? The winners are the people of Wyoming, who will have a freedom first debated 220 years ago placed into the state's Constitution. The losers are those individuals and groups who believe that a government-run health care system, controlled by bureaucrats and special interests is the best kind of health care system reform.
Who supports this initiative and why? Families of all political persuasions who want to have their freedom to make their own health care choices for themselves and their children. Supporters and advocates for those with disabilities who know that government-run health care will limit their ability to seek out and obtain specialized care and treatments for their loved ones believe in the Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act. People who think that naturopathic and homeopathic treatments ought to remain available believe in the Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act. Health care providers who know that government run, socialized medical systems limit choice and increase waiting times for their patients believe in the Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act.
Who is against this initiative and why? Advocates for a government run, single payer, socialized health care system may oppose the Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act. Individuals and corporations who would rather lobby government officials than actually provide health care services will be against this initiative. Why? Because it is easier for a major corporation to spend money on lobbyists to get bureaucrats to write rules and regulations that favor companies over people rather than convincing the public that the service it is offering is a good value. Does this initiative forbid Wyoming from embracing some form of universal healthcare? The Health Freedom Act will prevent Wyoming legislators from passing legislation forcing Wyomingites into a government run or government mandated health care system. It will not prevent the implementation of ideas, whether they come from the right or the left, that allow patients to continue to make health care decisions for themselves rather than cede those rights to government bureaucrats.
How does this initiative impact insurance companies? Insurance companies are not directly impacted by this initiative. The Health Freedom Act protects patients, not insurance companies.
How does this initiative impact Doctors? Doctors are not directly impacted by this initiative. The Health Freedom Act protects patients, not doctors.
How does this initiative impact Hospitals? Hospitals are not directly impacted by this initiative. The Health Freedom Act protects patients, not hospitals.
Is the amendment limited to medical services provided by a physician? No. The amendment protects the right of individuals to purchase any lawful medical services, whether provided by physicians or others, such as nurses, therapists, pharmacists, paraprofessionals, or anyone who may lawfully provide such services.
What do you see as the intended consequences of this initiative? The Health Freedom Act will preserve and protect the right of individuals to make their own health care choices. The initiative will limit the power of special interest groups to engage in 'back room', 'closed door' negotiations to get laws and regulations passed that claim to be for the benefit of all people, when in fact the laws and regulations first and foremost protect the interests of those who have the money and power to lobby most effectively.
What are potential unintended consequences of this initiative? The Health Freedom Act will protect all people against having their resources forced into the hands of government-which then will give that money to private companies, or place into the hands of "experts". The private companies and "experts" would then be in a position to determine what health care services and treatments people can receive.
Who is behind this initiative? The Health Freedom Act has very broad based support. It is fair to say that the effort is non-partisan. Polling by one of the nation's leading survey research companies suggests that the protection of the right to make one's own health care choices is viewed as nearly fundamental by Democrats, Republicans, the middle class, and women and men of all ages.
How might this initiative affect federal programs adopted by our state? The Health Freedom Act will be in Wyoming's Constitution. It will have no impact on those who receive their health care benefits through government programs, including Medicare, Medicaid or SCHIP.
Does supporting the Initiative mean that I am against health care system reform? Absolutely not. The Initiative simply states that the cornerstone of any future health care system reform must be the preservation and protection of the right of individuals to make their own health care choices.
I am pro-life. Will this Initiative prevent laws from being passed that can limit abortion? The Initiative does not take any stance on the abortion issue. By using the phrase `lawful medical service' the initiative defers to the legislature to define which medical services are legal and which ones are illegal.
I am pro-choice. Will this Initiative hurt the current rights of women to choose? The Initiative does not take any stance on abortion. By using the phrase `lawful medical service' the initiative defers to the legislature to define which medical services are legal and which ones are illegal.
I believe in freedom of conscience protections for health care providers of all types. Will this Initiative prevent laws from being passed that address freedom of conscience issues? The Initiative does not take any stance on freedom of conscience protections. The Initiative does not restrict in any way an individual health care provider's or insurance company's right to determine what services to provide, or the legislature's power to protect or expand such rights. It is not the intent of the Freedom of Choice in Health Care Act to be interpreted so that health care providers would be forced to provide health care services with which they have an objection.
Does this mean people can use illegal drugs for medicinal purposes? The Initiative does not take any stance on medical marijuana or any other currently illegal substance. By using the phrase `lawful medical service' the initiative defers to the legislature to define which medical services are legal and which ones are illegal. |
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