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Goldwater Institute Commends Governor Jan Brewer for Protecting Arizonans' Health Care Freedoms

November 14, 2014

Contact: Michael Kelley, (602) 633-8965

Governor Brewer’s announcement Wednesday afternoon that the state would not move forward with implementation of a state-funded health insurance exchange signals that Arizonans will be protected from some of the worst aspects of the federal health care law.

The Goldwater Institute commends Governor Brewer and state legislative leadership for their steadfast commitment to protecting Arizonans’ freedom to make their own health care decisions.

A state-funded exchange would have imposed significant burdens on Arizona taxpayers and small businesses. Under a state-funded exchange, which would have cost the state an estimated $60 million or more every year, small businesses would face fines of at least $2,000 per employee if they failed to provide health insurance coverage, and the state would be required to share Arizonans’ private medical information with the federal government.

Additionally, a state-funded exchange would have triggered millions of taxpayer dollars each year to subsidize insurance companies participating in the exchange.

“Governor Brewer and our state legislators have demonstrated great leadership in protecting Arizona’s citizens and businesses against the heavy hand of the federal government,” said Clint Bolick, Goldwater Institute Vice President for Litigation. “Arizona was the first state to enact the Health Care Freedom Act, and today’s decision strengthens the principle that individuals, families, and businesses should have the freedom to make their own lawful medical decisions.”

 

 

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