82R2701 BPG-D
 
  By: Christian H.C.R. No. 27
 
 
 
 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
         
         WHEREAS, The regulation and oversight of the health insurance
 
  market are powers that have traditionally and historically been
 
  reserved for state government; and
         
         WHEREAS, Through their direct knowledge of market
 
  conditions, state legislatures are uniquely positioned to respond
 
  quickly and efficiently to the needs of local constituents; over
 
  the years, this state-based system of regulation has served all
 
  interests well; and
         
         WHEREAS, The United States Congress overstepped its
 
  constitutional authority when it passed the Patient Protection and
 
  Affordable Care Act on March 21, 2010; the Act encroaches on the
 
  sovereignty of states, forcing them to spend billions of additional
 
  dollars on entitlement programs; according to the Texas Health and
 
  Human Services Commission, the new federal Medicaid standards
 
  imposed by the Act will double the number of recipients and require
 
  Texas taxpayers to spend an additional $24.3 billion over a 10-year
 
  period; moreover, by shifting substantial administrative
 
  responsibilities to the states, the new law will require that state
 
  employees and agencies devote enormous amounts of time and
 
  resources to implementation; and
         
         WHEREAS, The Act also infringes on the liberty of individuals
 
  by mandating that all citizens and legal residents of the United
 
  States obtain qualifying health care coverage or pay a tax penalty;
 
  this mandate exceeds the powers of the federal government under
 
  Article I of the United States Constitution and violates the Tenth
 
  Amendment; and
         
         WHEREAS, The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act not
 
  only is unconstitutional, its implementation will endanger
 
  economic stability by adding billions of dollars to the already
 
  staggering national debt; now, therefore, be it
         
         RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas
 
  hereby express its opposition to the Patient Protection and
 
  Affordable Care Act; and, be it further
         
         RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
 
  copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
 
  the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
 
  Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
 
  members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
 
  this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
 
  memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.