Virginia Senate bills say no to requiring health insurance

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Virginia Senate bills say no to requiring health insurance
How they voted
The three measures passed by the Virginia Senate on health care Monday -- each on identical 23-17 votes -- were SB 283, SB 311 and SB 417

Northern Virginia senators

Yeas: 1
Charles J. Colgan (D-Prince William)

Nays: 9
George L. Barker (D-Fairfax), Mark R. Herring (D-Loudoun), Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax), David W. Marsden (D-Fairfax) , J. Chapman "Chap" Petersen (D-Fairfax), Linda T. "Toddy" Puller (D-Fairfax), Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax), Patricia S. Ticer (D-Alexandria), Mary Margaret Whipple (D-Arlington)

Other senators

Yeas: 22
Blevins (R-Chesapeake), Emmett W. Hanger Jr. (R-Augusta), R. Edward Houck (D-Spotsylvania), Robert Hurt (R-Pittsylvania), Stephen H. Martin (R-Chesterfield), Ryan T. McDougle (R-Hanover), Jeff McWaters (R-Virginia Beach), John C. Miller (D-Newport News), Stephen D. Newman (R-Lynchburg), Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R-James City), Mark D. Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg), Phillip P. Puckett (D-Russell), Frederick M. Quayle (R-Chesapeake), William Roscoe Reynolds (D-Franklin), Frank M. Ruff Jr. (R-Mecklenburg), Ralph K. Smith (R-Roanoke), Walter A. Stosch (R-Henrico), Richard H. Stuart (R-Westmoreland), Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-Winchester), Frank W. Wagner (R-Virginia Beach), William C. Wampler Jr. (R-Bristol), John C. Watkins (R-Chesterfield)

Nays: 8
R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath), John S. Edwards (D-Roanoke), Mamie E. Locke (D-Hampton), L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), Henry L. Marsh III (D-Richmond), A. Donald McEachin (D-Richmond) , Yvonne B. Miller (D-Norfolk), Ralph S. Northam (D-Norfolk)





By Rosalind S. Helderman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 2, 2010

RICHMOND -- Virginia's Democratic-controlled state Senate passed measures Monday that would make it illegal to require individuals to purchase health insurance, a direct challenge to the party's efforts in Washington to reform health care.

This Story
Va. Senate bills say no to requiring health insurance
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The bills, a top priority of Virginia's "tea party" movement, were approved 23 to 17 as five Democrats who represent swing areas of the state joined all 18 Republicans in the chamber in backing the legislation.

The votes came less than a week after President Obama implored Democrats in Washington not to abandon their health-care efforts, urging them in his State of the Union address not to "run for the hills" on the issue.

But the action in Virginia, a state that backed Obama in 2008, could indicate that the president is failing to reassure members of his own party that current reform efforts remain worthwhile. The votes also suggest that Democrats on the state level fear that supporting health-care reform could be politically damaging, and their action could put pressure on members of the state's congressional delegation who have been behind the effort.

"It doesn't make it easier," said Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, who voted for health-care legislation and is one of several Virginia Democrats facing a strong challenge this year.

Each of three similar bills that passed the state Senate on Monday would run counter to legislation passed by both chambers of Congress, which would require all individuals to purchase health care.

The bills were also expected to be approved by the GOP-controlled House of Delegates. Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) said he will review the bills but supports their intent.

"I think the General Assembly is doing what they believe is right for the citizens of Virginia," McDonnell told reporters Monday. "And, like them, I oppose these broad, costly federal mandates that undermine the ability of Virginians to create more access at less cost."

Measures prompted by the Washington debate are pending in at least 29 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Proponents of the Virginia measures said Congress would overstep the bounds of its constitutional authority if it required the purchase of private insurance.

"I don't believe someone should be forced to buy something they don't want to," said Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, a Democrat who represents rural Russell County. "It's un-American. And it might be unconstitutional."

Senators will face reelection next year, and each of the Democrats who backed the measures represents more conservative areas of the state, where strong Republican candidates are expected to mount challenges. ...