The House voted  Thursday to amend Rep. Jim Clark's Idaho Health Freedom Act to allow the Idaho State Board of Education to continue requiring university students to carry health insurance while in school.  Had it been passed in its original form, the legislation would have banned that practice, which, Clark says, was not his intent.

Clark said the amendment makes the distinction between the federal government and state government and fixes any problems with the legislation.

During earlier committee hearings on the measure, Clark, a Republican from Hayden Lake, said it is designed to protect Idahoans from the federal government and ensure freedom of choice.  The legislation gives the state attorney general the power to sue the federal government in court if any federal legislation requiring the purchase of insurance is passed.

The bill now moves on for further consideration by the House and it is expected to be voted on in the next week.

(Note: You can read IdahoReporter.com's coverage on the bill here.)