The Idaho Senate will likely debate and vote on the Idaho Health Freedom Act Tuesday. The proposal would shield Idahoans from possible mandates related to federal health care reform. It has been on the Senate calendar for debate since Feb. 25. The main reason for the delay has been senators' efforts to act on pieces of legislation originating in the Senate, so that the House can consider them this session.
Sen. Monty Pearce, R-New Plymouth, is the Senate sponsor of the Health Freedom Act, and said the delay is a matter of timing. "(Senate leaders) were worried that it was going to take a long time," Pearce said about the expected floor debate on the issue. "There was no other reason it was held." Pearce said he predicts the Health Freedom Act will pass. He said it could be a party-line vote, much like the House vote on Feb. 9. "I don't expect it will be anything different," Pearce said.
Senate Majority Leader Bart Davis, R-Idaho Falls, said during the Senate's floor session Monday that the Health Freedom Act would be delayed from Monday to Tuesday. He also said that senators will hold an afternoon session in addition to their standard morning session. Davis makes scheduling announcements daily on the Senate floor.
